Messages of God's Love: 2017

Do you think a dog named Samson would be a big, strong dog or a little, fluffy dog? I’ll give you a hint. Do you remember the Bible story of a man named Samson? Was he a strong man or a little, weak man? If you said, “STRONG man!” you are right. Now, what do you think about the dog named Samson? If you said, “He’s a STRONG dog!” you are right again. He is a very big, strong dog! Here’s what happened to Samson.

One summer day Gramma and I were sitting outside and enjoying God’s creation. Then the phone rang, and it was my turn to answer it. It was our daughter-in-law calling, and she was very excited.

“Dad, can you come over right away? Samson has a big thorn in his paw, and I’m afraid to pull it out!”

I said, “Call the vet!”

She answered, “I have called the vet, and the office is closed until tomorrow.” That was not good news.

“Okay, I will be right over.” (We live only five minutes away.) I told Gramma what the problem was, and she said, “Wow, be careful!”

I said, “Pray for me.” Samson weighs about 120 pounds, so I prayed while I was driving to their place that God would help me to help Samson. On the way, I was remembering a verse in the Bible: “A righteous man [is concerned for] the life of his [animal]” (Proverbs 12:10). In other words, if you have a pet, God expects you to take good care of it. So as I drove up to the house, I saw Samson on the front porch, just as if he were waiting for me to come.

I got out of the truck, walked over to him and began talking gently to him. He was sitting quietly with his sore paw lifted up as if to “shake-a-paw.” I gently ruffled his fur, talked to him and told him, “I’m here to help you, Samson.” He wagged his tail as if to say, “I’m glad to see you.” Then I told him, “You have to roll over on your back so I can see your sore paw.” When I saw the end of the thorn sticking out of his paw, I could only think, WOW!

While I was looking at the end of that thorn, my mind went back to Calvary. I was remembering where the Bible tells us that those cruel men made a crown of thorns and put it on the head of our Lord Jesus. Then they took a stick and hit that crown of thorns so that those thorns would dig into the head of our Lord Jesus Christ! What awful shame!—Man’s cruelty to “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). And He gave Himself for you too.

Now I needed to face the task of pulling that thorn out of Samson’s paw as quickly as possible. I also must be very careful how I pull it out. I picked up my pliers and fastened them on the small end of the thorn that was showing. (All the while I was doing this, Samson never moved!) With my other hand, I held his paw steady, and then with one quick pull with my pliers, OUT CAME THE THORN! Then blood squirted out of the hole where the thorn had been! That blood squirting out would cleanse the deep wound so it would heal nicely.

Samson had never moved! Then he sat up and gave me a big lick, and I gave him a big hug! Then I looked at the thorn I was holding in my pliers—it was almost two inches long! Again, I thought about that crown of thorns that was placed on the head of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those thorns could have been that long or longer! And then there was that spear they jabbed into His side, and blood and water came out. It’s that blood from the side of the Lord Jesus that can cleanse sinners from their sins, if they will let Him.

Boys and girls, it’s been many years since the Lord Jesus’ blood has cleansed me from all my sins. Have you asked Him to wash away your sins? “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Lots of love,

Grampa and Samson

P.S. This picture is of a thorn from the same Jerusalem thorn tree where Samson stepped on the one that went straight into his foot. Get a ruler and see if it measures as long as the one I pulled out of his foot.

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

ML-01/01/2017

The Injured Crow

My neighbor loves birds, and she seems to be making friends with them in one way or another. This past summer she cared for an injured crow that had a very strange voice, not like other crows! Maybe the injury affected his “Caw, Caw”!

Once the crow began to fly again, he seemed to stay in the area, coming back every day for food. However, we did not find his call very pleasant to listen to, and sometimes we found ourselves thinking, We wish that crow with its ugly call would fly away for good!

This reminds us of our ugly sins, doesn’t it? Even though we may have asked the Lord Jesus to wash them away with His precious blood, we sometimes do something else that is another ugly sin. Then we have to go to God in prayer and tell Him about this sin. When we confess it to Him, we know it is forgiven, for Jesus has washed all our sins away in His precious blood. We know this for sure because 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Then skip one verse and the next one says, “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-01/01/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Swamp-Loving Bitterns

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

If you spend time in swampy areas and look closely, you may happen to see one of the lovely bitterns that live in the swamps. Being part of the heron family, there are many varieties throughout the world, and two of them are residents of northern United States and southern Canada.

Let’s look at one named the least bittern. It is called “least” because of its smaller size compared to other bitterns. It is about 12 inches long when measured from its feet to the tip of its long bill when it stretches its neck straight up. Its body is only about the size of a quail or robin, but its legs, neck and bill are much longer.

The Creator has provided this secretive bird with colors suited to hiding in its marshy home of cattails, tall reeds, long grasses and low bushes. Its feathers are light brown except for a black crown and back. Similar coloring on its neck and breast is lightly striped in black tones. This combination makes the bittern almost impossible to spot when something has alarmed it, and it freezes with its bill pointing up in the midst of swamp foliage. It also turns its front and both eyes toward the source of alarm. If the wind moves the reeds, the bittern sways with the movement of the reeds. Adding to its excellent camouflage, the striped coloring of its long neck and breast look like the reedy plants in which it stands.

One reason bitterns like such watery surroundings is the plentiful food found there—fish, eels and frogs. They also eat mice and other small animals, various insects and seeds. Unlike most birds, they do not flock together. Usually only one is seen by itself or occasionally a pair.

Bitterns are among the world’s most cautious birds, preferring to stay in the surroundings that hide them so well. Only occasionally will they venture out into open water or into a close-by meadow for a meal of grasshoppers, other insects or seeds. They can run fast on open ground but fly slowly, keeping close to the tops of the reeds and brush.

Nests are built above water level where from three to six young are raised each year. The mother bird does all the incubating and feeding of her brood until they can care for themselves.

As we look at even a few of the multitudes of bird varieties in the world, it gives us happiness to realize the Creator, the One who is Lord of heaven and earth, has found pleasure in them all. But He says in Proverbs 8:31, “My delights were with the [children] of men.” You are much more important to Him than any bird, fish or animal—so important to Him that He died on the cross for you. Is He important to you?

ML-01/01/2017

A Feast for Jesus

Simon the Pharisee liked to listen to new stories, just as the rest of us do. He found it so interesting to listen to Jesus that he invited the great prophet-healer to his house for a feast, and Jesus came.

Simon’s guests had walked the dusty roads in sandals. It was the usual practice in those days for servants to bring water to wash and cool their guests’ dusty feet. Then the host would kiss each guest’s cheek and add a touch of perfumed ointment to their heads. These practices made the guests feel comfortable and welcome.

Jesus came into Simon’s house as an invited guest and took His place at the table. However, He was not given the usual practice of comfort and welcome like the others received.

There was a woman in that city who was sure of two things. First, she knew she was a sinner, and second, she knew that only Jesus could forgive her. Perhaps in those two truths she knew more than Simon did. Do you know that those two truths apply to you too?

The woman brought an alabaster box of special ointment and stood behind Jesus. She had tears running down her face, because she knew she was a sinner. She began to wash His feet with tears and wipe them with her long hair. Then she kissed His feet and poured her precious ointment on them.

Simon did not say anything to the woman, but he was busy thinking. He had no idea that his wonderful guest Jesus was the One who knows all our thoughts and why we think them. This is the God that you and I must meet someday—joyfully or in terror!

Simon had thought that Jesus was a prophet, but now he wondered why Jesus didn’t seem to know what an awful sinner this woman was. Simon thought she was so wicked that she had no right to touch Jesus.

Oh, didn’t Simon know that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15)? No, Simon didn’t know. Simon was a religious leader in fancy robes, but he didn’t really know who Jesus was. He didn’t know that it’s only sinners who are invited into Jesus’ presence. Many of us can gladly say, “I know! I came to Him, and He is my Savior now!”

Then Jesus told Simon the story of a man who had two people who owed him money. One owed 500 pennies (which was a huge amount in those days), and the other one owed 50 pennies. Sadly, neither one of them had even one penny to pay the man. Then the man said, I freely forgive you both.

Jesus asked Simon, Which one will love him most?

I suppose the one to whom he forgave the most money, answered Simon.

Maybe Simon was pleased when Jesus told him that his answer was correct. But there was more for Jesus to tell Simon: You see this woman? You did not give Me water for My feet, but she washed My feet with tears. You didn’t give Me a kiss, but she has kissed My feet many times. You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured special oil on My feet.

Jesus was truly a prophet, but He was far more than that. He knew all about the woman’s sins, and still He turned to her and said, “Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48).

No one else has the right to say this. If you want forgiveness for your sins, you must go to God Himself for this. “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7).

Simon had nothing more to say. And the woman said nothing either, but the guests had many questioning thoughts. And we know what the guests were thinking: Who is this prophet who also forgives sins?

Do you know who He is? He is Jesus, the eternal Son of God, and the One who took my sins upon Himself when He died for me on the cross. Then He, and no one else, has a right to say what He said to that woman at His feet, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

What about your sins? Have you come to Jesus for forgiveness?

You may read this story for yourself in Luke 7:36-50.

MEMORY VERSE: “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7).

ML-01/08/2017

"Thanks for the Rescue"

The lady lived quite close to the river, and she often walked her dog Chloe, a 13-year-old golden retriever, along the river. But one day, Chloe managed to quietly wander off the deck and headed down to the river by herself. She had found the gate on the deck unlocked.

The lady called and called and looked and looked for Chloe. Finally she heard a “yip” and was able to find her. The old dog somehow had fallen into the river, and the mud and her arthritis had prevented her from getting out.

The lady realized she couldn’t get the dog out of the river by herself, but she tried. As she struggled, a young family walking beside the river stopped to help her, even though it meant getting very muddy. Working together, they were able to get the old dog out of the mud and up onto the riverbank.

The lady was very grateful for the people’s help in rescuing Chloe. They were complete strangers to the lady. She was so thankful for their help that later she wrote a thank-you note and had it published in the local newspaper, hoping they would read it.

Those of you boys and girls who have been rescued from your sins by the Lord Jesus, have you thanked Him today for saving you? “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 118:1). He loves you very much and would love to hear from you!

ML-01/08/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pronghorn

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

The pronghorn, with its graceful horns, is found only in the interior western and central parts of North America with a few in northern Mexico. It is the size of a small deer, with light tan coloring except for white fur on its face, underparts and hindquarters. This coloring allows it to blend in with the prairie where it feeds on grasses, the tender twigs of sagebrush and other shrubs.

A doe will use her sharp hoofs to beat off a coyote threatening her young, but otherwise the pronghorn has no real means of defense. However, being one of the fastest large mammals of North America, a mature pronghorn can sprint 55 miles an hour for a half mile, 42 miles an hour for one mile, and 35 miles an hour for 4 miles to escape from an enemy. It is often cited as the second-fastest land animal, with the cheetah being the fastest.

The pronghorn has remarkably keen sight. Its large eyes are placed far back on the side of its head, giving it a great circle of sharp vision. When it sees something threatening, it raises the white patch of fur around its tail—a warning signal to its companions, and they all run away. The Creator gave them the instinct to have one of their herd always stand watch. Even when they lie down, they face in different directions so an enemy cannot take them by surprise.

A doe usually bears twins in the spring. Their eyes are already open, and they are able to stand right away. Prowling animals cannot easily find them because they give off no scent for some months. At ten months they are fully grown, and by the end of a year they can run as fast as their parents.

What leads the pronghorn into trouble is its curiosity. Hunters will tie a piece of cloth to a stick and wave it in the air while remaining hidden. The pronghorn comes toward it to investigate, and the hunter shoots it. This is just like the person who knows that the Bible teaches the way “which leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:14), but who is tempted to investigate the things that Satan and the world offer. Satan is always ready to deceive all who will be attracted by these temptations, leading them into tragedy and sorrow.

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

ML-01/08/2017

Skating on Thin Ice

When I was a boy, during the winter months there wasn’t anything I liked to do more than put on a pair of ice skates and go flying as fast as the wind across a smooth sheet of ice. We lived by a pond, and I could hardly wait for it to freeze over. Before going out on the ice, I always made sure it was strong enough to bear my weight without cracking. I soon learned that three inches of new ice was stronger than thicker, older ice. I also learned that there were spots on the pond that I had to avoid, because the ice often was not thick enough and so was not safe.

I remember the skating outings at night under a full moon when a group of us would get together for some fun on the ice. One night, two of our group crashed into each other, and we all skated over to see if either one was hurt. Suddenly, there was a loud cracking sound! The weight of all of us in one place had caused the ice to crack! Of course, we all quickly scattered to other parts of the pond!

Have you ever heard the saying, “He’s skating on thin ice”? It is used when talking about a person who is doing something dangerous even when he knows that it is not safe. You may be “skating on thin ice” right now if you are ignoring God’s warnings about the danger of your sins.

“Skating on thin ice” often has very unhappy results. I saw this actually happen one cold winter night.

A group of us had asked permission from a farmer to skate on his pond. He said yes, but on one condition—we were not to go down the water inlet leading to the pond. We were all having a good time when I heard one boy say, “I wonder why we shouldn’t go down there?” as he skated toward the inlet.

He soon got his answer. The next thing he knew, he was in freezing water up to his waist! The farmer knew the inlet had thin ice when he told us not to go down there. Thankfully, the water wasn’t deep, and it was thin enough ice that he could break his way to the side and climb out. He was quickly wrapped in a blanket and then got in his car and drove home. Years later I asked him if he ever went skating again. He said, “My mud-encrusted skates are still hanging in the basement. I figure that if I don’t have enough sense to listen to a warning, I shouldn’t be skating!”

Are you “skating on thin ice”? Yes, you are, if you are not listening to the warnings about your sins that God gives in the Bible. There is terrible judgment with no escape for those who die in their sins: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). The only way to escape that terrible judgment is to accept right now the offer of salvation that God has provided: “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). That verse tells us that God’s love and grace to sinners are so great that He sent His Son Jesus down here to die on the cross for us. Another verse also says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [satisfaction] for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Have you accepted God’s forgiveness for your sins through the death of His Son? If not, you are in very great danger because you are “skating on very thin ice”!

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

ML-01/15/2017

Sharing a Lion's Bedroom

How would you like to spend a night in a lion’s bedroom?

“I wouldn’t!” would probably be your answer, but that is just what happened to Jack many years ago. While in the Army, he was sent to Africa where this frightening situation took place.

One night when he was out with a group of other soldiers in the jungle, he somehow got separated from them. After some time, he realized he was lost! He was very tired, so he looked for a safe place to sleep until morning when he hoped he could find his way back to the others.

As he made his way down the dirt path, he noticed a cave. Thinking this would be a good place to rest for the night, he decided to go in and get some sleep.

He had not been sleeping long when he suddenly woke up. He wondered what had wakened him, and then he heard the roar of a lion not far from the cave entrance. Fear gripped him! How could he get away? Would the lion smell him and come into the cave?

He did not have long to wonder because, to his horror, he saw a big, shadowy shape block the cave entrance, and he knew the lion had discovered him. All he could think to do was to lie still and pretend to be asleep. The lion came over to him and sniffed him all over, then lay down beside him and went to sleep!

Jack remembered that David, the king of Israel, had been delivered out of the paw of a lion. And so lying there on the sandy floor of the cave with the lion beside him, he silently cried to God to save him, as He had saved David.

Before long, the lion was in a deep sleep and breathing heavily. Still praying, Jack crept softly from the cave. After going a safe distance, he climbed a tree and stayed there until morning.

In daylight, he soon found his way back to the other soldiers. What an amazing story he had to tell them! God had certainly answered his prayer and delivered him from the lion!

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee” (Psalm 50:15).

ML-01/15/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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

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, that lives only in Central and South America where they thrive in great numbers in rivers and swamps. A large one will measure up to 20 feet long! To grasp just how long that is, if it were stretched out on your garage floor, you would probably be barely able to close the door completely!

There are certain ways they hold their mouths that 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. It’s no wonder they don’t have any friends.

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 good eating when roasted. But they are more interested in catching these creatures for their skins, which are in great demand and are made into high-quality leather goods. Men’s shoes as well as 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 an ordinary job.

Baby caymans, like baby alligators and baby crocodiles, are hatched from eggs. Usually a dozen or more are laid in a nest by the female. 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.

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. Our Bible verse at the beginning refers to that time.

We learn from the Bible that that time of peace will not come until after the Lord Jesus has come to take to heaven all who know Him as their Savior. Will you be included with those who will be in heaven?

ML-01/15/2017

Set 2

Where Do You Keep a Loon?

Mr. Rood was a biology teacher known for taking in injured animals and caring for them until they could be released safely back into the wild. One day in February, he got a telephone call from an airplane company in New Jersey. They had found a bird floundering around in a patch of oil near the plant, and they wanted to know if he would come rescue it.

At noontime, Mr. Rood and his friend Mr. Stephens, who was a bird specialist, headed for the airplane plant. A workman led them out to a ramp and showed them the sorry-looking bird that looked like nothing more than a large, soggy mass of oily feathers with a six-inch beak.

It didn’t take the two men long to recognize that the bird was a loon. They decided it had gotten confused by a winter storm. It must have spotted the oil-slicked asphalt and thought it was water. Once it had landed, it couldn’t get off the ground again, because loons need a long stretch of water to get flying speed. It had been floundering around on the asphalt, getting its feathers covered with oil.

The two men threw an old blanket over the bird before picking it up. Its feathers were cold and hard with grease. Taking it back to school with them, they gently set the loon in a box in a warm room.

After school, Mr. Rood decided to take the loon home with him to try to clean up its feathers. Although Mrs. Rood wasn’t very happy about the new addition to the family, after she saw the poor bird all covered with oil, she felt very sorry for it.

In the middle of February, most homes don’t have much to offer in the way of water deep enough for a loon to be comfortable in . . . except maybe for the bathtub. A few minutes later the loon was sitting in six inches of warm water in their bathtub. Mr. and Mrs. Rood tried to figure out how to clean the oil off the bird’s feathers. They decided to try laundry detergent for a start, so they poured a little in the bathtub. Then using a brush and washcloth, they worked gently on its oily feathers. Three changes of water later, the bird was fairly clean.

In some ways, we are very much the same as this poor loon. We don’t have gummed-up feathers, but every one of us has had our life gummed up with sin. And sin is a stain we can’t wash off with just soap and water and be done with it. There is only one way to have our sins removed: “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Any kind of laundry detergent would have worked for the loon. But the only blood that has power to wash our sins away is the blood of the Lord Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross, because He is the Son of God.

And it only takes one washing with His blood for our sins to be gone forever! That poor loon had to be washed three times to get clean, and then it took further special care before it could get back to living normally. This is not the case when your sins have been washed away. The Lord Jesus immediately gives you a new life that loves to please Him. “If any man [woman or child] be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is also the happiness of knowing that you will spend eternity with the Lord Jesus in heaven.

By now the Roods’ three children were home from school and had been watching the cleaning process. They, of course, wanted to keep the loon for a pet. Their dad explained that this was a water bird and would not be happy living on their lot full of trees. It needed a lake or large pond and would have to be returned to the wild in a few days. Until then, they would have to keep it in their bathtub until its natural oil got back into its feathers. Then it could stay afloat and wouldn’t drown in deep water.

The next problem to solve was what to feed the loon. Library books came up with that answer—live fish. A fishing tackle store not far away had a supply of live killifish. They bought a handful and dumped them into the bathtub with the loon. They had found the right answer. The loon cocked an eye, took aim with its beak, and ate every one of them!

After a few more days of this good care, the loon’s feathers looked much better. It preened itself, threading its natural oil through its feathers. Soon it was time for the loon to be returned to the wild. They carried the big bird to a large pond not far away and set it right in the water. The loon seemed to like the larger waters as it swam off across the pond.

We are glad our loon story has a happy ending. Will your life have a happy ending?

If you choose to remain in your sins, the future is frightening. When you die, you will have to bear the punishment for your sins in hell forever. God makes this very clear: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

MEMORY VERSE: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

ML-01/22/2017

Salvation's Story

God loved the man that He created,

Through a miraculous birth,

But should He have made them?

Jesus, God’s Son, died for all men

Because of their sin,

That we might go to heaven.

They could not enter in

But it is only through trusting His Son

The place He had prepared for them.

That eternal life can be won.

So God thought of a plan,

So please trust Him today.

A plan to save man.

You cannot delay!

He sent His Son to earth,

You won’t regret the day.

ML-01/22/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Garibaldi Are Tough

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

The garibaldi is a fish less than a foot long, bright orange in color, and very protective of its home territory in the offshore ocean waters of California. They are usually found in tide pools reaching 90 feet below the surface. This fish was named after the Italian warrior Giuseppe Garibaldi of the 1800s, who is remembered for his bold and tough style of fighting.

When mature, this fish develops a bump on its head that adds to the fierce looks of its mouth and the spinal fin running all the way along its back. Extra-large scales on its bright body add to its fierce look, along with its green eyes.

The males choose rocky, fortress-like areas for their homes. With few exceptions, they challenge all intruders no matter how large they might be. However, they seem to make sure that there are crevices in the rocks for escape if invaders are too tough for them. One exception they make in challenging other fish is the little senorita. This little fish is allowed to safely come to them to clean and eat parasites off the garibaldis’ bodies.

When about five years old, a male garibaldi cleans off a rocky space for a nest and guards it carefully. But strangely, when a mate shows up, he dashes threateningly toward her. However, she avoids him and heads for the nest, even though he may nip her a few times on the way. When she reaches the nest, she swims slowly back and forth, dropping thousands of eggs which stick to the algae he has allowed to grow there. When she has finished, the excited male fertilizes them with a fluid from his body, and from then on, he intensely guards them from intruders. Meanwhile, the female has disappeared, quite content to leave all problems to him.

Eggs hatch in about three weeks, and the baby garibaldi are half an inch long. They begin life with a blue color, but as they get older, this is replaced with a permanent bright orange. When about four inches long, the males of the group take on the aggressive ways of their father, while the females are chased off and have to make their own way in their watery world.

This is one more instance where mankind has been allowed to discover one of the amazing varieties of creatures God has placed on the earth primarily for His own pleasure, but which He often allows us to enjoy as well.

The psalmist expressed his appreciation of these works of the Creator when he wrote: “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward. . . . They are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5).

Do you ever think about your Creator?

ML-01/22/2017

Lost in the Atlantic

It was the last day of March when the storm slammed into the east coast. The 85 MPH winds whipped the water into huge waves. As these broke on the New Jersey coast, they were 35 to 45 feet high.

The Norwegian freighter, the Norse Variant, was fighting these waves and having trouble. It was heading to Hamburg, Germany, loaded with coal when the storm hit. About midnight a distress call was received by the Coast Guard. It said, “Number 2 hatch broke open—ship sinking!” Then it gave its position as 150 miles southeast of Cape May.

During the remainder of the night, two additional messages were received. The last message reported that the crew was abandoning ship. Then there was silence!

The Coast Guard on Governor’s Island responded quickly and sent three Coast Guard cutters and a Navy rescue boat to the ship’s last-reported position. Air Force bases all along the coast sent rescue planes to look for the sinking ship and possible survivors. The strong winds and rain mixed with snow made the search very difficult. For two days they searched from dawn to dark as the weather and seas became more calm.

Late on the second day, an empty life raft from the Norse Variant and a few pieces of debris were found southeast of the ship’s last-known location. All hope for any survivors was almost given up.

The next morning Lieutenant Commander Edward Weilbacher took off in a search plane from Pease Air Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Nine men were with him in the search-and-rescue crew. They flew over the area where the Norse Variant had gone down. His crew carefuly scanned the whole area with binoculars. Two rubber rafts were discovered; both were empty. Then another orange raft was spotted. As they flew over it they could see a man kneeling in the center of the raft. Weilbacher reported later: “We circled over him a few times. He was waving to us frantically. He seemed very excited. I can’t imagine how he survived in those sea conditions!”

A rescue team, carrying a radio and medical kit, parachuted from 1000 feet. They landed close to the raft and swam to it. The rescue team reported to the plane that the seaman was in good condition and that he had not seen any other survivors in the three days he had been on the raft since the ship went down.

A rescue ship was then contacted by Weilbacher who directed it to the raft. With great difficulty, in waves that were still 15-20 feet high, the rescue ship maneuvered close to the raft and rescued the seaman and the two parachutists. The seaman, Stein Gabrielsen, was transferred from the rescue ship to a hospital by helicopter. He was examined by doctors who found him slightly dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition. He had survived a terrible experience in hurricane winds, high seas and near-freezing nights.

There is probably no one reading this story who has had an experience like this. What must it be like to spend three days alone in a raft under those conditions? What were Gabrielsen’s thoughts during those days and nights of being constantly tossed about? No doubt he spent much time thinking about his home and family. Perhaps he thought of some of his childhood experiences—some nice and some not so nice, because of wrong things he had done. We believe he must have thought about God and prayed that he might be rescued.

We don’t know if Gabrielsen ever did thank God for being rescued. We do know that 29 men died when the Norse Variant went down. We hope that all of them turned to God and were saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We hope that each of you also knows Him as your own Savior. Have you ever stopped to think that you are on your way to an eternity in hell if you have not been rescued from your sins by the Lord Jesus? He died on the cross to save you. Accept Him now! He is your only hope of rescue! He has done everything for you, so that all you have to do is believe.

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

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

ML-01/29/2017

Following Closely

One very windy day I was driving down the highway in a 10-wheeled truck full of sugar beets when something unusual happened. The wind was so strong that my heavy truck could not go above 35 miles per hour, and I had the gas pedal pressed to the floor! In my rearview mirrors I could see a man in a little pickup truck following closely behind me. He soon got tired of my slow speed and pulled out to pass. As he came alongside my truck, the wind hit his pickup full force, and he did not have enough power to pass. He had to pull back behind me and follow again. While he was driving along in my wind protection, he had lots of power, but when he had to face the wind alone, he could not do it.

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Savior, you need to follow Him closely every day. Read the Bible, talk to Him in prayer, try to do your daily activities to please Him, and make your decisions with His Word in mind. As long as you follow Jesus closely, you will have power to live your life to please Him. But if you try to go a day or two in your own strength, without His help, without reading His Word and talking to Him, you will find you have little strength to handle the decisions and problems of this life. Quickly pull back and “follow [in] His steps” (1 Peter 2:21)! “I can do all things through Christ [who strengthens] me” (Philippians 4:13).

ML-01/29/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Hedgehog

“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

Although the hedgehog is well-known in many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, it is not native to North America. This peculiar little animal is less than a foot long and looks somewhat like a porcupine. Most are nocturnal, but some venture out in daylight.

As it is one of the weaker animals that would be hunted and killed by larger animals, God has given the hedgehog a very effective defense against its enemies. From its neck to its short, stubby tail, it is covered along its back and sides with sharp, stiff spines, sticking out in every direction. When in danger, the hedgehog tucks its head into its chest and rolls itself into a spiny ball and is safe from its enemies. If it hadn’t done this right the very first time, it would have been quickly killed. God gave it that protective knowledge when it was born.

Although this animal sometimes lives in harsh surroundings, it knows how to make a comfortable nest of woven moss, grass and leaves that is waterproof even in heavy rains. Sometimes it will burrow into a rabbit’s runway and make its home there or burrow under the roots of a tree where it is safe with a good strong roof over it. It has sharp claws on powerful front feet which enable it to dig quickly, not only in making its home, but also in finding grubs, slugs, worms and insects that make up part of its diet.

The hedgehog is helpful to man in at least one way—it is a natural enemy of snakes, especially poisonous ones. The hedgehog quickly seizes the snake by its tail and then curls up into its spiny-ball defense, with the snake’s tail still in its mouth. The angry snake strikes against the prickly spines again and again, until it almost hacks itself to pieces. The hedgehog then finishes it off and has a snake dinner.

Do you think the hedgehog gave itself such a protective armor or taught itself how to catch snakes without being harmed? No, God, who cares for all His creatures, provided it with its unusual survival features. “In whose hand [the hand of God] is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10).

This verse reminds us that, while God cares for every creature, He considers mankind separate from all others. He does, indeed, care for such an unusual little animal as the hedgehog, but it is important to realize that He has a special interest in every human being and wants each one, through faith in Christ, to be His child. He tells us: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

ML-01/29/2017

What the Ravens Did

They were big black ravens—birds that are bigger than crows, with almost the same coloring and with the same loud “CAW, CAW!”

Have you ever seen them or heard them? They are very smart birds and soon learn the ways of people. They can steal the clothespins off your clothesline. And just like crows, they find small, shiny objects. If you’re not careful, they will spread their large wings and fly away with that pretty ring in their beak that you set down for a second. They will even sit on top of the funniest scarecrow when they find that it’s harmless.

Why do most people dislike ravens? Because they like to eat the eggs of songbirds and will quickly peck into a dozen ripe apples on a tree without really eating one. And why does God call them unclean birds? I’ll tell you—because they also feed on dead animals and birds killed on the road. Hungry ravens aren’t choosy.

In our Bible story today, the ravens were hungry. There had been no rain, and so there was no ripe fruit or grain in the fields. Maybe there were animals that had died of starvation, and that would be food for ravens. But they couldn’t find much.

God cared about this matter of no crops, and He could have sent rain, but He didn’t. God wanted the people to look up to Him for their needs. Their looking only to themselves was self-pleasing and sin, including all the unhappiness that goes with it. God says, “Look unto Me . . . all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22). God did not give ravens the power to think about their Creator, but you can. Will you look up to God now? All our supplies come from God Himself.

Where Elijah lived they had no rain either and nothing to eat. But Elijah knew God, and he had love in his heart for God’s people. He was just as hungry as they were.

God said to Elijah, “Hide thyself by the brook Cherith,” and Elijah obeyed. There was water there, and he drank. But what about something to eat? God had also told him that the ravens would bring him food, so it was no surprise to see those big black wings flapping in the sky as the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and more bread and meat in the evening!

Ravens don’t do things like that, but God can do anything. He has ordered certain birds to fly from warm southern countries to make their nests in the north. So they come every year without fail! The ravens obeyed Him too, and they brought food to Elijah twice a day, without fail! That was a real miracle since the ravens were hungry, yet they didn’t eat Elijah’s food. That’s how powerful our God is.

Did you know that the same God sent His Son to die for you? And while Jesus was here on earth, the heavens opened for God to say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). And not only that, but because Jesus died for us sinners, God can take you right up to where Jesus is in heaven and make you happy to be there! That’s how powerful and how loving our God is.

The ravens didn’t refuse what God told them to do. God did not give them the power to make a choice. But you can. You are a sinner who has sinned against God, but He still loves you and gave His Son Jesus to be the Savior for you. He offers you forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through the death and shed blood of His beloved Son. Will you accept Jesus as your Savior? Or will you refuse Him and suffer the eternal consequences for your choice? “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Elijah enjoyed his food until the brook dried up, and then God took care of him another way. Would you like to read about it? You may read the story in the Bible in 1 Kings 17.

MEMORY VERSE: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.” Deuteronomy 30:19

ML-02/05/2017

David's Memory Verse

David had just had his fourth birthday. Now he felt he was big enough to sit up in the front row with the other children in Sunday school and say a Bible verse too. He learned his verse carefully at home. On Sunday morning he sat very quietly with the other children and listened as each one stood up and repeated the memory verse. Soon it was David’s turn.

David stood up very slowly and looked all around the room. It seemed as though everyone was looking right at him! He suddenly became shy and then either forgot the verse or he didn’t want to say it.

The Sunday school teacher smiled at David to encourage him, but still he couldn’t seem to get the words out. The teacher decided to help him with the first few words to get him started. “Come unto Me,” the teacher prompted. And David did just that! He believed what the teacher had said and ran up the teacher. Then he threw his little arms around the teacher’s legs and looked up at him with a smiling face.

The teacher welcomed David and picked him up in his arms. Then the teacher asked the other children, “Who is it in the Bible that said, ‘Come unto Me?’“

Most of the children knew the answer. “It’s Jesus,” they said.

“Yes,” said the teacher, “and He wants us not just to say the words but to really believe them and come to Him, just like David believed what I said and came up here to me. Jesus will welcome us when we come to Him and will wash all our sins away if we will trust Him in our hearts. Then we belong to Him as one of His children. That is how we become ‘born again.’“

The Lord Jesus has a special place in His loving heart for each one of His children. Wouldn’t you like to be born again and become one of His happy children?

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

ML-02/05/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Water-Loving Ibis

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

Ibis are among the world’s largest birds, some measuring as much as four feet from the tip of their beaks to the end of their tail feathers. All have long necks and legs with partly webbed feet. They eat mostly fish, frogs and snails captured by probing in shallow, muddy water with their long beaks. They also eat large insects, mice, moles and small snakes. Farmers welcome them because of their huge appetites for these pests.

Some ibis species live by the thousands in colonies, grouping in trees or bushes, making large, bowl-shaped nests built of twigs and interwoven sticks with a thin, inner layer of grass. Others prefer to nest in single families in marshes or open forest areas. Many varieties of ibis are scattered from the southern United States through Mexico and South America, and also Africa and Australia. With changes in seasons, some make flights of thousands of miles, while others remain in one place throughout the year.

Two varieties in North America prefer to make their homes in areas cleared of forest or in open, dry country. The American white is a large, pretty bird, almost solid white with black wing tips, red face and legs, and a yellow beak. The wood ibis is darker in color. Both kinds usually nest close to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Australian white looks much like the American white. It is noted for its practice of breaking a shellfish open by holding it firmly against a flat stone or hard surface with a foot, then using its tough beak as a hammer to break it open.

The bald ibis, found only in the mountains of Africa and the Middle East, has quite a color contrast to the others. It is mostly greenish black except for a dash of deep pink or brown where its wings are attached to its body. The male has a deep-red top to his head. The head itself is pinkish, but the long, down-curved beak, long legs and feet are light orange.

One that is worshipped by natives around the Indian Ocean from South Africa to Australia is the sacred ibis. The worship habit probably came about centuries ago when natives first noticed that these birds got rid of troublesome pests.

It pleased the Lord God, the Creator of all things, to place these and thousands of other bird varieties throughout the world, both for their usefulness and also as objects of great interest. Each has its particular place in the creation in which He delighted.

For those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, there is a wonderful time coming in heaven when He will show us His wisdom and love in all He has done. Will you be there to hear that wonderful account?

ML-02/05/2017

What Cricket Found in the Flowers

Hello boys and girls,

This is Grampa writing to tell you another story about Cricket, our little dog. Gramma, Cricket and I were sitting outside at the front of our house this past summer. We were enjoying the shade from the sun and also watching the bees moving in and around all the flowers. Gramma has planted our flowers very close together in this area.

Cricket decided she had been sitting beside us long enough, so she got up and started to wander through the flowers. Gramma and I forgot about what she was doing.

After a while, Gramma asked, “Have you seen Cricket?” I said, “No, but she’s around here somewhere.” I happened to look to my right, and there coming out of the flower bed was a garter snake, about two feet long! (Just so you know, garter snakes are nearly harmless to people, but they are good to have in your garden because of the beetles, grubs and slugs they eat. They usually try to hurry away if a person comes near them.) So the snake stopped, turned around and was looking at the flower bed. It’s little tongue was darting in and out! And then, Cricket stuck her head out of the flower bed! So here we have Cricket and the snake looking at each other about 8 inches apart! They both were as still as could be!

The thought came to my mind that we read about in the Bible in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 1. This is when Eve, one of our first two parents, came face to face with our deadly enemy—Satan! God had told Adam and Eve that they could eat the fruit of any tree in the garden except for one. That tree was in the middle of this very special place called the Garden of Eden. God told Adam and Eve that if they ate the fruit of that tree, they would surely die.

Satan spoke to Eve in the garden, telling her it was okay to eat the fruit of the tree that God had said they should not eat. Satan said they would not die like God had warned them. So then Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit that God had told them not to eat. Then she gave some to Adam, and he also ate the fruit and disobeyed God. They both had sinned!

Sin must be punished! Have you boys and girls ever disobeyed? Sure you have, and so have I and Gramma too. Our parents may have punished us for disobeying them, but that doesn’t remove the sin of doing wrong. The sin is still there, unless you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your very own Savior. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who took the punishment for sins on Calvary’s cross. His precious blood that was shed on the cross is what can wash our sins away forever. I’ll tell you more in a minute about how you can be saved from God’s punishment for your sins.

Now here’s what happened to Cricket and the garter snake. Both of them were as still as could be and watching each other closely. So I got up carefully out of my chair and told Cricket to “back off.” She slowly obeyed. Then I picked up the snake and carried it down to the other end of the flower bed and let it go. I came back to my chair beside Gramma and sat down. Gramma said, “Well done, Grampa!” The problem was solved.

But we each have our own sin problem that needs to be solved. We deserve God’s punishment for our sins, but the Lord Jesus loves us so much that He and God His Father made a plan to save us from that punishment. When the Lord Jesus gave up His life on Calvary’s cross for you and me, His blood that was shed there is what can wash away every one of our sins and make us ready for heaven! He is waiting for you to accept Him as your very own Savior. Will you do that today?

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

With love from Grampa, Grammaand Cricket

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

ML-02/12/2017

Anne Didn't Wait

Four-year-old Anne was coloring in her coloring book and talking to her mother at the same time. “We want to go to heaven to be with Jesus and we don’t want to go to hell, do we, Mommy?”

Her mother said that was right. Then she said, “But, Anne, do you know how to get to heaven?”

Anne said, “Ask Jesus to wash your sins away.”

Then her mother asked, “Have you asked Jesus to wash your sins away?”

“No,” answered Anne.

Her mother asked, “Anne, would you like to ask Him right now?”

Anne’s answer was, “Not now . . . I want to finish coloring.”

“Anne, what would happen if the Lord Jesus came while you were still coloring?”

Anne looked at her mother with big eyes and answered truthfully, “I would go to hell.”

Then her mother asked, “Anne, do you want to ask the Lord Jesus to wash your sins away right now?”

Anne said, “Yes.”

They got down on their knees to talk to the Lord Jesus.

After Anne finished telling Him about her sins and wanting Him to wash them away, her mother asked her, “Did He wash your sins away?”

Anne said, “Yes, He did!”

Are you still waiting to talk to Him about washing your sins away? He loves you very much and wants to wash them away right now. Anne didn’t wait and neither should you, because He might come before you decide to talk to Him.

“[Let] the little children . . . come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

ML-02/12/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The World's Oldest Living Things

“I the Lord . . . have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.” Ezekiel 17:24

Bristlecone pine trees, gnarled and weather-worn, are considered to be one of the oldest living forms on Earth. There are three species, and pinus longaeva is believed to be the oldest. Many started growing as long as 4,000 to 5,000 years ago—some before the great pyramids of Egypt were built, others while the Israelites were crossing the desert. While some bristlecone pines are 100 feet or more tall, many are short and stubby, and each has a beauty of its own.

How do they survive in the mountains of California and Mexico at heights of 10,000 feet or more, where summers are extremely hot and winter storms bring sub-zero temperatures and fierce windstorms? A strong root system that clings to patches of soil in the hard, rocky areas is part of the answer. Their tough, waxy needles also help them survive.

Where bristlecones grow, there is not much rainfall, but the Creator supplies some of their moisture requirements another way. At that high altitude, summer fog and clouds blow over them. Enough tiny droplets of water collect on the needles to form drops that fall to the ground, providing moisture for the roots. The needles also prevent snow from piling up and breaking the branches. When the load gets too heavy, the needles bend down and the snow slides off. As this snow melts, it supplies further moisture to the roots. The needles also contain a protective poison that keeps birds and animals away from them.

Older trees, and some younger ones, have survived lightning and severe storms that have killed sections of the trees, leaving partly dead trunks and branches alongside the living, green ones. The dead parts actually shelter the living parts. Over the years these dead parts have become polished, gnarled and twisted by severe weather, resulting in natural beauty. A visitor observing one of these ancient trees cannot help but wonder at their long survival under such harsh conditions.

Bristlecones begin life as a seed dropped from a cone, perhaps blown from the parent tree and taking root in a sheltered bit of soil some distance away. Their rate of growth is so slow that the smallest tree growing now is very likely many times older than the person looking at it. Young trees are usually straight and upright, but wind, rain and snow have made many of them bent and weathered while still small.

When we consider the beauty and majesty of these trees that God has created, we can understand the meaning of the Bible verse that says, “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created . . . . Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars [related to the bristlecone pines]” (Psalm 148:5,9).

ML-02/12/2017

Set 3

Troy and His Dog Named Bud

Troy and his mother run a hunting lodge in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, so Troy knows his way around that part of the country. At the time of this story, it was a bitterly cold winter with heavy snow falling.

Troy had gone snowmobiling at midnight. He was driving very fast as he crossed a frozen lake. It was snowing so hard that he couldn’t see what was in front of him. Suddenly the snowmobile crashed into an island, and his body flew off the snowmobile!

He didn’t know it at the time, but when he landed, the impact broke his neck, back, ribs, a leg and several fingers. He was in very bad shape! Somehow, he managed to drag himself to a nearby cabin on the island before he lost consciousness on the front steps for the next six hours.

When he finally came to, he was startled to see what he thought was a coyote looking at him. Then he realized it was a very thin dog, a German shepherd that hadn’t eaten for a long time. He talked to the dog, and it stayed with him for the next eight hours. The dog’s company gave him something to think about other than the pain and his fear of dying.

If you were in Troy’s place, would you be afraid of dying? Or could you remind yourself that if you didn’t make it, heaven would be your new home with your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you? You had already settled the question of your sins being forgiven, and you could trust Him: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2). But some of you reading this probably cannot say for sure where you would be if you died today, no matter what the cause.

At this point, Troy’s chances of making it out of there alive were pretty slim. Just when he had given up hope, his brother found him after following a trail of blood in the snow. He carefully loaded Troy onto his sled and slowly drove back to the hunting lodge where his family tended to Troy while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. He was taken to the hospital and spent the next 13 days in intensive care.

Troy was receiving good care, but the dog wasn’t forgotten. A relative found him and took him to the hunting lodge. Then he was given to a family several miles away, but the dog ran away. Five minutes after Troy came home from the hospital, the dog was on the front steps of the hunting lodge! The family opened the door, and the dog ran inside where Troy was reclining in a chair. For weeks the dog stayed by his side as he recovered.

Troy named the dog Bud, and over time they both got better. Bud once weighed only

40 pounds, but now he is a strong and sturdy 95 pounds. In the five years since the accident, the two are always together. Troy says Bud is the most loyal and devoted dog he’s ever met. He’s very loving and gentle. He is what we would call a “faithful friend.”

But some of us have another Faithful Friend. His name is Jesus, and you can have Him too. He loves us so very much that He died on Calvary’s cross, taking the punishment for the sins of every person who accepts Him as his or her Savior. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Have you ever admitted to God that you are a sinner? Have you ever asked Jesus to wash your sins away? It’s His blood alone that can wash you clean from all your sins—past, present and future. That reserves a place for you in heaven, and you’ll never be afraid of dying, like Troy was. Why not settle the matter today!

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

MEMORY VERSE: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Psalm 91:2

ML-02/19/2017

The Foolish Flock

Most children love little lambs, and sheep are known to be harmless and rather helpless. They need constant watching, especially if there are dangers around. Recently there was a story in a Turkish newspaper about the foolishness of a flock of sheep when left alone even for a little while.

Some shepherds had left the flock to graze for a short time while they had breakfast, no doubt feeling sure the flock was safe. What a sight met their eyes when they returned. They saw one sheep leap off the cliff, followed by another, and another, and then the entire flock followed, leaping blindly over the edge. In the end, a white pile of dead sheep lay at the bottom of the cliff. Those that jumped later were saved, because as the pile of dead sheep got higher, their fall was cushioned.

The shepherds could only mourn the loss, saying there was nothing they could do to stop them. Sheep just follow each other, and the helpless shepherds learned the hard way that they should never leave the flock alone.

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He looked at the crowds following Him and likened them to sheep not having a shepherd. He also called Himself the Good Shepherd who not only stays with the sheep but also gave His life and died on the cross that all who trust in Him might have their sins forgiven. He wants to be a shepherd to you and me. He knows the dangers that lurk along the way and what is ahead. If we put our trust in the Lord Jesus and look to Him to guide us, He will not be like those shepherds who left the flock to themselves. He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). How good to have a shepherd like that. Is Jesus YOUR shepherd?

ML-02/19/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Wallaby From "Down Under" - Part 1

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

There are 39 known varieties of the interesting wallabies, which are part of the kangaroo family. Some of the light-colored wallabies look like large rats and some look like rabbits, but most look like small kangaroos. However, the fur of most wallabies is more brightly colored than the fur of kangaroos. The tails of wallabies are more slender and bushy or tufted at the tip, whereas kangaroos’ tails are quite plain.

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

Wallabies live on grasses but also eat foliage and bark from trees and roots of various kinds. They usually feed in the cool of the evening, at night or in early morning, leaving the shelters where they rest throughout the day. In their hot, dry homelands, the Creator has provided them with bodies that can survive on the moisture from their food, although they will drink water when it is available. One kind, the tammer, even drinks saltwater when freshwater is not available.

Once a year, mothers give birth to usually just one tiny, blind baby (like a baby kangaroo, which is called a “joey”), and it remains several months in her pouch until it can eat solid food. Even then it stays close to her and is quick to jump back into her pouch if danger is near. Babies are not born in their mother’s pouch. Although tiny and blind, their sensitive noses tell them their mother’s rich, nourishing milk is in the pouch, and they make their own way into the pouch where they grow fast.

Usually brown-beige in color, or occasionally red, gray or blackish, wallabies are much like miniature kangaroos, having short front legs and long, strong hind legs and feet. Their long, thick, powerful tails are used for balance and support when sitting. Full of curiosity, they usually stop grazing to watch a person going by.

Wallabies are content with the heat and dryness of their homelands, and if they knew about their Creator and could speak, they would surely thank Him for His care over them. But you boys and girls do have that ability to speak, and God, who is also your Creator, is pleased when you thank Him. One Bible verse tells us to “[give] thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Be sure to do this every day!

(to be continued)

ML-02/19/2017

My Broken Arm

I suppose that some who read this story have had a broken bone at some time. Those of you who have broken a bone will remember the plaster cast that was not supposed to get wet. And I’m sure you’ll remember how your arm or hand or leg or foot itched under the cast, where you couldn’t scratch it. You’ll also remember how there were some activities that you could not do in your normal way. But most of all, you’ll remember the pain. Broken bones really hurt!

We were taking care of my cousin’s dog. This dog loved to chase me and nip at my heels. Being only six years old at the time, I was afraid of the dog and would run away from him. I have since learned that, instead of running away, it is better to face a problem, nipping dogs included. But I was afraid and ran.

There were abandoned streetcar tracks crossing the field where I was running. I tripped over the first rail and landed on the second one. The pain I felt in my arm told me something was very wrong. I headed home, went into the house and told my mother, “I hurt my arm.” My lower right arm was hanging limp! Mom took one look and turned white.

In those days we didn’t have special bone doctors; we had a family doctor, and that’s where my dad took me. The doctor x-rayed my elbow and told us my arm was broken in the worst possible place—the elbow socket. The arm was set at a 90-degree angle in a plaster cast, and I had to wear a sling around my neck to hold up my arm.

That night my dear dad sat up with a very pain-filled little boy who didn’t sleep much. Besides comforting me in my pain, he faithfully told me that God, in love, was speaking to me through this accident. Dad explained that even though I was a sinner, God loved me so much that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus, down to this earth to bear the pain of the terrible crucifixion. On that cross, that holy, sinless Son of God died for me. Dad told me that Christ rose from the dead, went back to heaven, and was waiting for me to accept Him as my Savior.

I can’t say I understood all that Dad talked to me about that night. However, it was the beginning of a work in my heart that led me later to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my very own Savior.

God often speaks to us, and if we don’t listen, then sometimes “[man] is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain” (Job 33:19). This is exactly what happened to me, and in time, it helped me to see what a sinner I was, even as a young boy. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7).

In six weeks the bone in my arm had healed and my cast came off. But what was wrong? I couldn’t straighten my arm! The doctor explained that my muscles had shrunk and weakened because I hadn’t used them for six weeks. To strengthen those muscles, the doctor had me carry a pail of sand around for a certain amount of time every day until my arm was straight again.

The muscles in my arm had become weak because I couldn’t use them while the cast was on. Our hearts and consciences will become weak if we don’t read God’s Word every day and spend some time praying. Satan, our enemy, is quick to use the weakness in our souls to lead us into a path of sin. Let’s remember to read our Bibles and pray every day. That way we keep our hearts and consciences healthy and strong, just like I had to carry that pail of sand around to strengthen my arm.

MEMORY VERSE: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7

ML-02/26/2017

The Hole in the Wall

Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just believe Him and thank Him for dying for you. He loves you and wants to save you. Will you accept Him right now?

ML-02/26/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Wallaby From "Down Under" - 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

Let’s look at a few of the varieties of wallabies living in Australia, New Guinea and neighboring islands. These animals in the kangaroo family vary in size from 12 to 40 inches, plus a 10- to 28-inch tail, and weigh from 4 pounds to over 50.

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

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

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

It’s not hard to understand how the spectacled hare variety got its name, for each eye is circled by a light orange ring, which looks like a pair of glasses. One that has an unusual tail also has an unusual name—the nail-tailed. It has a horny spike at the tip of its tail, and no one seems to know just what its purpose may be.

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

There are more of these unusual creatures, but we will have to stop with these few. How nice to know that the Creator doesn’t overlook any of them. They also give us reason to think about His wisdom in every area of His wonderful creation, as the opening Bible verse tells us. We must never forget that He made us a very special part of His creation, and we should always seek to please Him.

ML-02/26/2017

Food From Heaven

Maybe you remember the Bible story of God’s promise to give the children of Israel the land of Canaan. It had rich soil which would grow good crops.

The people did not believe God, and they grumbled and complained. So God delayed the blessing and caused their wandering trip to Canaan to take 40 long years. During that time, He fed all those people in the waste and unfriendly wilderness without any fields of grain, vegetable gardens or imported food. How could He do this? It would be an impossible problem for us, but it was no problem to God. We would never have guessed how God fed all those people, a million of them, if He had not told us.

God said, I will rain bread from heaven for you. He told the people to go out and gather a certain amount every day. The next morning the dew lay on the ground all around their camp. After the dew dried up, there was a small round thing on the surface of the ground. What is it? the people asked. In their language, the word was “manna.” Moses explained to them, This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.

This was a surprise! They could not be lazy, because a million people made a very large camp. And they had a long way to walk to the land beyond their tents where the manna lay on the ground. The Bible describes the manna as being like coriander seed. (Coriander seed is round and about this size – O – about 1/8 inch in diameter.) So it was steady work to gather a day’s supply for a hungry family. Probably everyone helped, even the children. It had to be gathered early, because once the sun was hot, it melted and was gone! Don’t keep any extra manna overnight, Moses told them. Gather it fresh every morning.

But surely it doesn’t matter if we sleep in a little longer, some of them said. There was something in their hearts that said, “We don’t have to obey Moses. He’s 80 years old!” You may understand this disobedient feeling, because it is right there in your heart too. Why can’t I have my own way? I don’t have to do what the Bible says!

So some of them gathered enough to eat for two days so they could rest the next morning. But in the morning, those families looked into the pot of yesterday’s manna and . . . it smelled awful and was crawling with worms! They had to throw it out and go hungry that day.

Didn’t they know better than to choose their own way? It never works to disobey God. It might seem to for a while, but God knows all things, and His way is right. To choose your own way is not only foolish; it is sin! But in His mercy, God gave them fresh manna the next morning, and His mercy is the same for you right now. Do you know how much He loves you and how perfect His ways are?

Then Moses had another command: There will be no manna on the seventh day (Saturday, their holy Sabbath day). Gather twice as much on Friday. This could be baking day, or they could boil the manna or leave it fresh. It made no difference, because it would keep over Saturday, even if the weather were warm. The seventh day was a day of good food without hard work.

But isn’t one day as good as another? Even if you are a Christian, you may think that you can choose your own way and your own time of receiving God’s blessings. Some of the people thought that same way, and they went out with their empty pots to gather manna on Saturday, the Sabbath, and there wasn’t any! They came home hungry. The lesson is simply . . . let God make the choices. He knows our needs better than we do, and His timing is perfect. We can find out what His choices are by reading His Word, the Bible, and “listening” to His voice as you read.

God does not command us to stop working on the seventh day. Not now. It was on the first day of the week (Sunday) that our Lord Jesus rose from the dead, and on that day we love to remember Him. He looks for a loving response in your heart, since He gave His life for you. The answer, “I don’t care,” or, “Some other day” will leave you empty and hungry in your heart, even if you are a Christian. Listen to the Word of God, and let Him make your choices.

You may be wondering about the need of clothes and shoes for all those people during those 40 years of walking. That’s another miracle from God’s supply: Their shoes and clothes never wore out!

Do you see what a God we have? Why not trust Him now and forever! “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

MEMORY VERSE: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

ML-03/05/2017

A Child's Trust

“Why doesn’t Jesus visit us sometime, Mommy?” asked four-year-old Gail.

“Because Jesus is up in heaven,” answered her mother.

“Can’t Jesus fly in an airplane like Daddy does sometimes?”

“Jesus does not have to fly in an airplane, because even if His body is in heaven, He is also with us. Before He went back to heaven, He said that He would be with us all the time.”

“But, Mommy, I can’t see Him.”

“No, we can’t see Jesus, but we know that He loves us and is with us, because the Bible says so. Think of the wonderful things He does for us. There are many real things we can’t see with our eyes. You can’t see my love for you, but you know that I love you because of the many things I do for you.”

The next day Gail was sick. She said, “Mommy, I know Jesus is with me, and I’m going to ask Him to make me all better.” Then she knelt down beside her bed and prayed, “Dear Lord Jesus, please make me all better. I know You love me, and I love You. Amen.”

God wants all of us to have a simple, childlike faith in Him. “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

ML-03/05/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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

Among the most unusual birds’ nests 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. So one section might have nests of petrels, next to it seagulls, then puffins, or sometimes gannets, guillemots and murres. This separation of nests is a wise provision of the Creator, for it keeps the various species from fighting with one another. However, in daylight hours there is always a terrible racket from such a collection of birds so close together.

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. Eggs are laid in these openings 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 over the edge. Instead, it will roll in a tight circle and stop. The mother bird can then fetch it back to where it belongs. Isn’t that an amazing provision of the Creator!

These birds get almost all their food from salt water. It is most interesting to watch one make a swift dive through the air and right into the water. Then it comes up with a fish in its beak. The fish is often carried back to the baby birds that are 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? Or how do the young birds dare to jump from those high cliffs and use their wings the very first time? Answers to these questions can only come from our 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 sinners in need and will accept Him as their Savior. Have you done this?

ML-03/05/2017

The Lost Little Girl

In the town where we live something frightening happened. Mrs. Thomas and her little girl, Elizabeth, were shopping in one of our large department stores. While Mrs. Thomas was looking at little girls’ dresses, three-year-old Elizabeth wandered away. It was only a few minutes before Mrs. Thomas missed her. She searched all through the children’s department, calling Elizabeth’s name, but she was nowhere to be found!

The only thing Mrs. Thomas could think to do was to ask the store employees for help. Hurrying to the customer service area of the store, she told the lady behind the counter about her lost child. The lady knew exactly what to do since it is not unusual for children to get separated from their parents. The store had a way to help find them.

Most of us can remember having been lost in a store when we were little. Perhaps it was only a few minutes that we were separated from our mommy or daddy, but it seemed like forever. The Bible tells us that we are also lost in another way, and it could be forever! We have been separated from God by our sins. Romans 3:22-23 tells us, “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That shows us that every man, woman, boy and girl is a sinner, and it is our sins that come between us and God. This is the cause of our being lost. We need someone to help us, and little Elizabeth did too.

The store had a code, a special signal that told the people who work there to immediately lock all of the outside doors. Once the doors were locked, the search for the little girl began.

There is Someone searching for lost sinners too. “The Son of Man [Christ Jesus] is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Just as the people in the store searched for Elizabeth, the Lord Jesus, who loves you so much, is seeking boys and girls who are lost in their sins. If you have not yet received Him as your Savior, you are still lost, and He is still seeking you!

Little Elizabeth was found. That is the happy part of the story. It is where she was found and what had happened that makes the story so scary. A strange man and woman were found with her in one of the changing rooms. They had cut her hair and had started dressing her in boy’s clothes. They were about to steal Elizabeth from her mother!

These evil people are like Satan! The Bible describes Satan “as a roaring lion, [walking] about, seeking whom he may [destroy]” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the enemy of your soul and tries to steal you away from anyone who would tell you about the Lord Jesus who loves you so much He died for you. The reason Satan tries so hard to steal you is to make you miss being in heaven. He wants you to be separated from God forever. To be saved from the enemy’s hold, all you need to do is “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Do you think Mrs. Thomas was happy to have Elizabeth found? I’m sure she was so very happy and relieved to have her little girl safely back that she carried her home in her arms, holding her tight. And that’s just what the Lord Jesus does when any lost boy or girl turns to Him to be saved from their sins and Satan’s hold on them.

If you have not yet truly believed on the Lord Jesus as your own Savior, you are like Elizabeth when she was lost in the store and in the hands of those evil people. All you have to do to be found is simply tell the Lord Jesus that you are lost in your sins and believe that He died for you on the cross. For every boy or girl who has come to the Lord Jesus, that loving, caring Seeker, not one is still lost. And He will never let you go! “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Had Elizabeth not been found quickly, in a few more minutes those evil people would have gotten out of the store with her. Then she might never have been found and returned to her mother. Do not wait another minute to believe on the Lord Jesus and be safe. The longer you wait, greater is the danger of being lost forever. Run to His loving, open arms right now and be safe and happy forever!

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

ML-03/12/2017

One Lost Sheep

The Bible tells us that you and I are just like sheep going astray. Did you ever see just one stray sheep? Usually all the others will follow the leader, no matter where he is heading. However, I saw an unusual sight at the sheep farm near our house.

Two men were following a single sheep and herding it along as it ran beside the fence. They were trying to return it to the sheepfold with the others. The sheep was looking this way and that, watching for a hole in the fence as a way of escape. It was a most unhappy creature; I could see fear and distrust in its face. No doubt it wanted to get through the fence, away from its rescuers and out onto the highway. It was a busy highway, and the sheep would certainly have been killed. I don’t know how it had become separated from the others, but the shepherds had found it and were not going to let it go until it was safe in the fold.

Are you like that little sheep? Are you heading in every direction to get away from the Good Shepherd who loves you and gave His life for you? Isaiah 53:6 tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.” The Good Shepherd wants to save you, but like the sheep I saw, you may want to go where only danger awaits. Those shepherds cared for that one lost sheep, and “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).

Remember, Jesus, the Son of God, loves you and gave Himself for you, because He is the greatest Shepherd of all.

ML-03/12/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Garden Eels and Flying Fish

“They that go down to the sea in ships ... see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:23,24

Garden Eels

If you were to look underwater near some Red Sea beaches, you might come across what looks like a group of three-foot-long pieces of black garden hose standing upright, gently swaying as the water flows around them. But as you would move closer, they would, one by one, sink out of sight into the ocean bottom. Then, if you remained perfectly still, they would come back up. These marine creatures are called garden eels.

They are nourished by specks of sea life that float into them. They point their mouths toward the underwater current to catch drifting food. Occasionally they bend over and fight one another, perhaps over bits of food. But they usually stay upright all day long, sinking into their anchor burrows at night. The garden eel will always keep a part of its body inside the burrow even when feeding.

Flying Fish

Unlike garden eels that spend most of their time motionless, flying fish spend most of their life in motion. Many of them make their homes in warm waters near the equator, but some can be found in warm waters as far north as Florida and California, as well as other parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The smallest species are only about 2 inches long, and the largest are about 18 inches long.

These fish don’t really fly; they throw themselves out of the water by a strong push with their tails, leaping through the air several hundred yards. They spread out their fins, which act like the wings of a soaring bird. This is not done for fun. Like other small fish, they are often the targets of larger fish. They escape predators by taking to the air.

Sometimes they look like skipping stones as they skim over the waves, their tails flipping them back up each time they drop down to the surface of the water. They are seldom very high in the air, but occasionally drop onto the decks of small boats. Then they are likely to wind up in a frying pan, for they make a very good meal.

Does the Lord God, the Creator, pay attention to such things as garden eels and flying fish? He certainly does, as a Bible verse tells us that “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).

This verse and many more like it cover all living things. But it is most important to notice that this includes people, for whom He has a special loving care. He invites us to come to Him in faith and trust His wonderful love.

Do you know Him as your Savior?

ML-03/12/2017

Set 4

The Pheasant Chicks New Mom

My brother and I had finished our morning chores of caring for the farm animals, and so Dad gave us another job to do. Being a beautiful day, he told us to mow the field of alfalfa east of the house. It makes good hay for the milk cows to eat.

We were using an old steel-wheeled mower behind the tractor. I was sitting on the mower’s seat with the field about half mowed. Suddenly I saw some feathers come up through the newly cut hay! I shouted for my brother to STOP! We went back and parted the hay around the feathers, and there we discovered the mower had killed a mother pheasant that had been sitting on her eggs. We felt pretty bad about the poor pheasant, especially when we counted 17 warm, olive-green eggs in the nest.

“Now, what should we do with the eggs?” we wondered out loud. We immediately thought of the bantam hen we had in the hog barn back near the house. She was always sitting on eggs, but they never hatched because there was no rooster around. We could put these 17 warm, pheasant eggs in her nest for her to hatch, as if they were her own eggs. She wouldn’t know the difference! So that was our plan.

We quickly and carefully put the 17 eggs in my brother’s cap and went back to the hog barn where the bantam hen was sitting on her own eggs. We quickly lifted her off her nest and put her in the top of a barrel of water so she was out of our way. Have you ever heard the saying “madder than a wet hen”? Yep, she was really mad! Chickens don’t like to get wet, but it didn’t hurt her any and gave us time to take her no-good eggs out of the nest and carefully put the warm olive-green pheasant eggs in the nest. By the time the hen dried off a bit, the eggs were ready for her to sit on, and that’s just what she did. She sat on the new eggs and never knew the difference.

In just a few days, those 17 pheasant eggs hatched, and they looked just like baby bantams. They were so cute with their light-brown, soft fluff with little black stripes.

The mother bantam took good care of the baby pheasants and took them out of the barn for picking things off the ground. There were always some spilled bits of grain around to eat. In the evening, and sometimes even during the day, she covered them under her wings for protection. At night she took them back to her nest. She would cluck to them, and they would come and stay under her wings. She was a good little mother for them.

As the little pheasants grew, their legs got longer and longer. Because they were wild by nature, they would go off and she would cluck to them to call them back. But soon they would not come back. They had a different nature than the bantam hen that took care of them. They were pheasants and would fly off into the wild. Even though the bantam hen and the baby pheasants were all birds, they were very different.

Boys and girls, all of us are sinners. Some of you may have a different color of skin, and some of you may live in different countries. God loves all of you, but the problem every one of us has is our sins. He cannot accept us into His perfect home in heaven with our sins. He tells us in the Bible: “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23).

God and His Son Jesus decided on a plan so that we sinners could have our sins washed away. Then we would be ready to live in God’s perfect heaven with our Savior Jesus when our lives here on earth are finished. The plan They made was very, very costly. Jesus, God’s only Son, would become a baby born here on earth and would grow up to be a perfect Man. He was sinless and that is why He could become the sacrifice to cleanse away the sins of any boy or girl or man or woman who would believe that He is God’s Son. Each person needs to talk to Jesus about his or her sins, asking Him to wash those sins away in His blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Those who take this step will want to live for Him and thank Him forever in heaven.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior yet, don’t wait any longer. Talk to Him today!

MEMORY VERSE: “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22-23

ML-03/19/2017

Who's the Driver?

Mrs. Williams was crossing the road on a steep hill when she saw a car racing down the hill toward her. She quickly ran to the other side of the road, but to her alarm the car swerved violently toward that side of the road.

“WHAT IS THAT DRIVER DOING?” she screamed.

With a desperate leap, she made it to the sidewalk an instant before the car shot past her. It only missed her by a few feet. Then to her horror, she saw there was no driver at the steering wheel! Faster and faster the car flew down the hill, zigzagging first to one side and then to the other, until it finally reached the bottom and crashed into a wall.

A life without the Lord Jesus Christ “at the steering wheel” is like a car without a driver—a danger to itself and to everyone else. Have you given the steering wheel of your life to the Lord Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your very own Savior, and are you letting Him lead you?

“I am the light of the world: he that [follows] Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

ML-03/19/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Barrel Cactus

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

The full name of the desert plant we’ll look at today is compass barrel cactus. It grows in the low deserts of Arizona and California. Fully grown after about 25 years, this barrel-shaped cactus may measure five feet tall and about two feet wide. The “compass” part of its name comes from the fact that it always grows leaning toward the south. Knowing this has helped many a hiker who has been lost without a compass.

Because of the “barrel” part of its name, some think it must be full of water, but it was given this name mostly because of its shape. However, it actually does store water in rainy weather, and the whole plant swells. Then in dry, hot weather it will draw on this supply, as arranged by the Creator. If the top of a barrel cactus is sliced off, several quarts of water can be gotten from mashing the pulp inside. This has saved the lives of thirsty travelers lost in the desert.

In spite of the hot summers in the desert, there is usually some moisture in the air at night that condenses on the plants as dew. The cactus, leaning over, has sharp-pointed spines arranged in rows all over it. These not only provide some shade from the hot sun, but the nighttime moisture forms dewdrops of water on the spines. These drops fall to the ground, seeping in to provide moisture for the roots.

The sharp spines also protect the cactus from the teeth of large desert animals. However, there are others, such as rabbits with their small mouths that can gently nibble on the spines and get a little moisture for their thirst without damaging the plant.

Like its relatives—the giant saguaros, organ-pipe cactus and others—the roots of the barrel cactus have been designed by the Creator to store water when heavy winter rains come. Then in spring the cactus produces very pretty yellow blossoms on the top.

Many people think deserts are dreadful places, but they are actually full of many varieties of plants, trees and flowers, as well as interesting birds and animals that have been placed there by their wise Creator. He took delight in every part of His creation. At the end of the six days detailed in the first chapter of the Bible, we read, “God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

When we look closely at the uncountable marvelous things around us, how good it is to remember what God’s Word, the Bible, tells us: “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven [the sky], and that are in earth. . . . All things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). We can fully trust God’s Word and believe the Bible’s account of creation.

ML-03/19/2017

Mudsy

Have you ever been covered with mud from your head to the bottom of your feet with so much mud that only your eyes were showing? Probably not, but Mudsy was.

Mudsy is a baby fox that was probably tagging along behind his mother one night when they walked across a construction site. Perhaps the young fox wasn’t watching where he was going and didn’t see the deep hole in the darkness before he fell into it.

The hole had been dug a few days earlier. Construction workers usually cover over the holes they have dug, but, sadly, this one was left uncovered. The hole was deeper than the height of a man and the sides and bottom of the hole were covered with thick, slimy mud.

Poor little fox! He must have panicked to get back to his mother. How he must have tried to jump up and dig his sharp toenails into the muddy sides of the hole, trying to climb out. But he would just fall back down into the slimy, wet muck at the bottom.

The hole was too deep with steep sides for the mother fox to jump down and rescue her little fox. Distressed, she probably pranced around the edge of the hole for a long time. Finally, she gave up and trotted off into the night, leaving her young, little fox behind. There was nothing else she could do.

Over the weekend the weather changed, and the sun came out and began to dry up all the mud, including the mud all over the little fox. The dried mud on him made him look more like a clump of dirt than an animal.

On Monday morning, a construction worker arrived at the construction site. He was about to start his big tractor to begin digging when he heard a soft, pitiful cry.

He walked to the edge of the hole and looked down. All he could see was dried mud. He got a ladder and climbed down into the hole. After a careful search, he saw a pair of beautiful little eyes in what looked like a ball of mud. He guessed it had to be a small animal.

Reaching down, he grabbed the ball of mud where he guessed the scruff of the neck must be. The little fox, weakened and frightened by his long time in the muddy hole, didn’t try to fight off the worker; he just went limp like a rag when the worker picked him up. Only when the worker held the animal up by the scruff of the neck could he tell the eyes belonged to a young fox.

He put the little fox into a cardboard box and drove to the nearest Animal Care Center. A worker at the center gently took the little fox to a large sink and carefully washed all the mud off. It took a long time to wash away the mud. Before the worker’s eyes, the ball of mud slowly became a beautiful young fox. The worker named the cute little fox “Mudsy.” For several days, the beautiful little animal stayed in the Animal Care Center before being taken to a wild animal preserve.

The dear little fox covered with mud might have died in the muddy hole if it had not been for the very alert construction worker who heard his cry and rescued him. Hopefully, someday Mudsy may be restored to the wild to live out his natural life.

Do you know that when we were covered from head to toe in sin, God did something very wonderful for us? He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to rescue us from danger. The Lord Jesus went to the cross and died in our place. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

On the cross He suffered, bled and died so our sins could be forgiven and washed away. The Bible says, “He 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). What a wonderful cleanness of soul those who believe in Christ are given, because Christ died for them. Before they believed, they were all sin. After they believed, they were made the righteousness of God, and all their sins were forgiven.

Some boys and girls might think it would be fun to be covered with mud. Mud can be a lot of fun in some ways. It might even be fun to wash it off with a hose. But there is nothing nice about being covered with sins, and you can’t wash them off. Sin is hurtful and hateful and leads to eternal death and hell. God loves the sinner but hates the sin. He wants sinners to come to Him to have their sins forgiven. There is no other way to be saved from your sins. Accepting the Lord Jesus as your Savior is the only way.

That little fox couldn’t climb out of the hole and save himself, and neither can you and I climb out of the pit of sin and save ourselves. “By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

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

ML-03/26/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Restless Caribou

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

With temperatures dropping to 80 degrees below zero, the frozen regions of North America are usually considered wastelands where nothing can survive. In reality, many creatures, including the caribou, live in these regions.

A full-grown caribou weighs from 300 to 700 pounds, stands 4 feet tall, and is 6 to 8 feet long. The Creator has provided them with all they need to survive in the extremely cold temperatures, including soft, thick, insulated fur. They require much food, yet they live where grass and leaves are not plentiful. The Lord God has created a special food for them called reindeer moss or lichen. This grows rapidly in the summer months, covering the ground and clinging to trunks and branches of trees. It is a rich food and can be eaten year-round. In deep snow where there are no trees supporting lichen growth, a God-given instinct tells the caribou to search for it on the ground. Caribou have sharp hooves that dig through snow and ice to reach this food. Most of their wakeful time in winter is spent digging and eating.

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

Both male and female caribou have antlers, but the male’s antlers grow much larger than the female’s. These can be used as dangerous weapons along with their strong legs and sharp hooves. Many a wolf, attempting to overcome a caribou, has learned too late that it is no match against a strong, healthy caribou. Yet wolves do follow herds, and if they discover a calf separated from the others or a crippled adult, they will successfully attack and kill it.

This reminds us of Satan, the evil one who, we are warned, “[walks] about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Boys and girls need the protection of their parents. A godly family will ask the Lord each day to help guide and preserve them from Satan’s attacks. All the family members, both young and old, need to feed continually on the Bible, God’s living Word, so they do not become weak and vulnerable to the enemy. Let us thank God for His wonderful promise: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. . . . They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

ML-03/26/2017

Water for a Million People

One of the hardest things to carry on a long hike is enough water. If there are no places to refill your water bottles along the way, you do not last long. What then could anyone do for a million people who left home in a rush in the middle of the night?

It was not just a long hike for the children of Israel; it was a journey that lasted 40 long years. It included mothers and dads, grandparents, children and babies, and cattle, goats and sheep. Supplying water for that size crowd is a problem too big for any department to handle. There were no rivers, no lakes, no springs or fountains. But do you remember how God supplied the manna food for them each morning for the 40 years? You may have read that story a few weeks ago.

It might be good to begin by remembering what took the children of Israel into the desert. They got there by crossing the Red Sea, not in boats, but on dry land, because God had told Moses to go ahead and lead them through. Their enemy was coming right behind them! But God took care of that by placing a cloud behind them so the Egyptians, their enemy, could not see them.

And how did you get here? Because God made you by His power, when man could only say “Impossible!” And God made you grow too, and He knows what you need. Are you trusting Him for everything you need? The children of Israel had to learn that lesson.

WATER! cried all those people: WE NEED WATER! This was very true, but why should they be angry at Moses? “Did you bring us here to kill us with thirst?” they demanded! But since God’s power had divided the sea and brought them through on dry land, surely they could trust Him for water! Yes, and since God has by His wisdom and power created each one of us and brought us along until today, surely He has a plan for us in our biggest problem of all—our sins and eternity. Yes, He has the answer, if we will trust and obey His way.

The people were ready to pick up stones to throw at Moses for bringing them on such a long trip. They did not stop to think that if God had not already saved them, they would have been dragged back into slavery by the Egyptians. Why didn’t they look back at those wonderful miracles and know that He wouldn’t let them down now?

But if God had the answer to their need of water, why did He let them feel so dry and thirsty? That is a very old question. If you are saying, “I know God can get me out of my problem, but why doesn’t He do it?” you are asking a question that is thousands of years old. You see, God wants to show us how very much He loves us, and if He solved all our problems before we knew about them, we might live and die like animals, without thinking of Him at all. God’s answers to our problems often come in unexpected ways. And His answer to the children of Israel was far more wonderful than they could imagine!

God’s answer for their water problem was given to Moses. I will stand before you upon the rock in Horeb. The answer was not coming from springs out of the ground, but from God Himself. Moses was told to use the same rod which had been used to open up the Red Sea. God’s command was, Strike the rock, and water shall come out of it. Then the people may drink. And Moses did exactly what God said.

I’m sure you know what happened next. WATER! Not a cupful or a jugful but plenty for everyone, including their animals, because God’s supply is always enough, without rationing or crowding. In fact, if you have read His promise in John 4:14, you know that Jesus said, “[Whoever drinks] of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” Never! Not that we don’t want any more, but that the supply is always there. Everlasting life does not need renewing; it is an ever-springing well.

I think there was great drinking and splashing and wading and washing that day, and even the cattle drank their fill. And it did not cost God a lot to give them such a waterfall. But when God supplies His never-thirst-again water for us, it cost Him a tremendous amount—He gave up His only Son for our need. The Lord Jesus Himself became poor for our sakes, that we through His poverty might be rich.

When the Lord Jesus was there on the cross, He said, “I thirst!” Surely God would supply for His Son abundance of water, wouldn’t He? No, there was nothing given to Jesus but some vinegar on a sponge. No man could ever be poorer than He was that day He died for you and me.

He has gone back to heaven now and is offering to share all His abundant riches with you. The Lord Jesus loves you and really wants you to come, just as you are, right now. The last invitation in the Bible is, “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

MEMORY VERSE: “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-04/02/2017

Have You Noticed?

Have you noticed that part of the memory verse is in darker type? We’ll explain why.

We are happy that many of you learn these verses every week. Memorizing God’s holy Word is very important. One big reason is given to us in Psalm 119:11. It says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” If you have memorized a verse, the Lord Jesus can bring it into your mind just when you need it most—to help you do or say what is right. And learning the gospel verses will help you to tell others about God’s love and how to be saved from their sins.

Perhaps there are some very young children who are only able to learn part of the verse each week. Since our memory verse this week is longer, we have printed in darker type a part for beginners to learn.

We hope this will encourage everyone, even the very young, to memorize Scripture.

ML-04/02/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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. The Tufted puffins are very similar, but the back of their necks is bright yellow, overlapping the fronts of their round heads, which are white on both sides. The backs of both kinds are black.

Some time ago people were concerned because fewer and fewer puffins 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.

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 one hundred pairs of puffins return to the island every year, and the decoys have been moved 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 has also been used successfully along California shores to attract the lovely little birds called the “least tern.”

However, 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 lure us into places or tempt us to do things that we should stay away from. So the Bible faithfully warns us: “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).

If we follow the guidance the Lord Jesus gives us in the Bible and ask Him to help us, this is the way to a happy life.

ML-04/02/2017

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 running along by the curb and disappearing through the grating into the sewer underground.

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 home?”

“No,” I answered.

“How come? Mike brought his,” she said.

But I was already heading for my bedroom. I was completely miserable.

At the beginning of the school year, I had lost my spelling book, and my teacher told me that I would have to buy myself another one. My parents gave me the money and I went to the store and asked for a third-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 third-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” after all.

We can’t get away with our sins. God knows every single one—even the bad thoughts we have that no one else knows. But He loves us just the same and is eagerly waiting to forgive us, if we will only admit to Him that we are sinners and want Him to forgive our sins. Then He promises, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

Have you come to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness?

MEMORY VERSE: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:34

ML-04/09/2017

Would You Help a Grasshopper?

Let me tell you about the grasshopper that got stuck in the rain barrel behind the barn.

I was weeding the garden and stopped for a rest, because it was very warm. After a while, I took the empty water bucket over to the rain barrel to get some water to put on the garden. Lo and behold, there was a grasshopper on top of the water trying his very best to hop out of the water he was floating in. His legs kept trying to hop, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

As I watched him, I knew what would happen. Soon that hopper would get tired and just drown and go right down to the bottom! So, should I help him or not?

Well, when I was 14 years old, God saved me from going down to hell. He looked down from heaven and saw me lost in sin, and He gave me this beautiful verse from the Bible: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). I believed it and was saved! The Bible tells us what the Lord Jesus said to a man named Nicodemus. “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). Nicodemus believed that the word “whosoever” meant him, and he believed what Jesus said and was saved too.

I actually felt sorry for that hopper, so I gently put my hand underneath him. As soon as he felt my hand, he gave a mighty shove with those legs, and out he jumped! Boy, was he glad to be free! One moment ready to drown, and the next moment he was FREE!

Children, are you ready for heaven? Are you free from your sins? That grasshopper doesn’t know who set him free, but I not only know who set me free, but “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit . . . set my feet upon a Rock . . . and He hath put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:2-3). Boys and girls, will you trust the Lord Jesus Christ today and be set free from your sins?

ML-04/09/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Two Oddities of the Ocean

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

The carrier shell is native to the waters of Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia. It is an unusual marine animal that looks like a pile of dead shellfish.

Although it has its own shell, parts of its body are not covered, so it seems to be looking for added protection. As it moves about on the ocean floor and finds an empty shell, it adds a thin coating of new material to the shell with its mouth. This, along with a cement it produces, enables the new shell to stick to the carrier’s back wherever it chooses to place it.

This unusual little creature will often add a dozen or more shells to its back and sides. This strange habit apparently adds protection and at the same time conceals it from its enemies.

The harp shell is also a creature of tropical waters. Its strong, ribbed shell is large and beautiful with a variety of colors. Most of its time is spent plowing through the sandy ocean bottom, searching for shrimp or crabs.

Its method of catching a crab is interesting. The harp shell and the crab are enemies; the crab loves to eat the harp, and the harp loves to eat the crab. However, when they meet, the harp usually wins. When the harp finds a crab, it purposely exposes part of its “foot” which the crab immediately grabs. Since this is an expendable part of the harp, the “foot” breaks off easily and later grows back. While the crab is occupied with eating this treat, the harp moves around it, covering its enemy with a sticky substance on which it throws a mound of sand. The crab can’t escape! The meal which it so eagerly accepted was really a trap. Now the harp has its turn and eats the crab.

These are strange but interesting details of sea life. We may not understand why they were created, but they are part of God’s purposes in the ways of the ocean. We know these creatures were not originally made to devour one another, but their peaceful way of life was disrupted when sin came into the world. Thankfully, there is a time coming when everything will be made right. However, before that time comes, a dreadful judgment is coming. All who have refused God’s gift of salvation will stand before the great white throne to hear that judgment pronounced against them.

Listen to the Bible’s warning and “escape for thy life!” Turn to Christ the Savior of sinners right now, while there is still time. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He [knows] them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

ML-04/09/2017

Set 5

Cricket the Protector!

Dear Boys and Girls,

As many of you know, our little dog Cricket is a Yorkshire Terrier and weighs only 11 pounds. Being so lightweight, Gramma and I often pick her up in our arms to pet her and smooth her hair. She will give us a big lick or a little happy growl. Then we will give her hair a little brushing to make it nice and wavy. We take good care of her, and she gives us doggy love in return.

So Gramma walked up the driveway to pick up the mail. Our driveway is 500 feet long. To get to our mailbox, we cross a bridge over a small creek, then up a hill. At the top of our hill, we have a neighbor who has two Border Collie dogs. These dogs might weigh 30 pounds each, and they are real nice dogs. They are both friendly, and we like them.

So today when Gramma picked up our mail and was starting back down our driveway, these two dogs spotted her and charged over to see her. At the same time, I had just let Cricket out our side door to go and meet Gramma coming down the driveway. She immediately saw the two neighbor dogs, and she did not like those two dogs barking and jumping around Gramma! So she charged right into them, and both dogs turned around and ran home, with Cricket right behind them. Gramma and I both had a good laugh!

I said to Gramma, “What does this make you think about?” While she was looking at me, I said, “I’m thinking about David and Goliath!” Goliath had been challenging God’s people to send a man to fight with him. But nobody would go! Then along came David with only a sling and five smooth stones to take on Goliath, but he was not afraid of this giant of a man. He was depending on God to give him the victory over Goliath. “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). As many of you children remember, God did give David the victory over Goliath, and he used only one of those five stones to do the job.

Then I called Cricket, and after two or three more “woof-woofs” at the neighbors’ two dogs long gone, she came to Gramma and me, and we walked home together. We gave Cricket one of her favorite treats for being our little protector.

Children, do you have a protector when you are away from your parents and home? If you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you have a wonderful Protector! You can turn to Him at any time for protection. He tells us in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”

We love you children,

Grampa and Gramma

MEMORY VERSE: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10

ML-04/16/2017

The Baseball Bat

WHAM! The baseball bat sent the golf ball bouncing across the backyard and into the bushes at the edge of the trees. Russ and Lee had decided to play golf, but since they were very young, they had no golf clubs and were using their baseball bats instead. They had set up a three-hole course and had been having fun, until they lost the ball in the bushes.

“I can’t find it,” said Lee, smacking the tall grass and weeds with his bat as he looked for it.

Russ went into the high weeds a little farther to look under some bushes. All of a sudden he let out a yell and came racing back into the yard toward the house with Lee following close behind! He had stepped on a yellow jackets’ nest, and the angry wasps came swarming out, stinging both boys quite badly.

Mom comforted the boys, put medicine on their stings, and cautioned them to stay away from the nest.

When the boys were feeling a little better, they were looking over their stings and grumbling about those yellow jackets. Lee had more stings because he was younger and hadn’t been able to run away as fast as Russ. “We ought to get rid of that nest,” said Russ. Lee agreed. They thought they could destroy the nest if they hit it really hard with their bats.

Soon they were back in the bushes and had found the nest again. Lee stooped down to get a better look at it just as Russ swung his metal bat at the nest. He missed the nest, but as the bat swung up it hit Lee just below his eyebrow.

Blood was everywhere! The boys came screaming back to Mom. She cleaned up Lee the best she could and drove him quickly to the medical center. The doctor sewed up the wound with 18 tiny stitches, took X-rays of Lee’s head, and gave him a tetanus shot.

Poor Lee was in sorry shape. He was covered with wasp stings and now had a bandage around his head and everything hurt. He thought he might even die! And what would happen to him then, he wondered. He knew he had not asked the Lord Jesus to save him from his sins as he should have. He felt sure he wouldn’t go to heaven if he died. Even though he was just a young boy, he was very concerned about his soul. God tells us “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). And Lee was afraid he might have to meet God in his sins. He knew he would have to be punished for them in that awful place called hell. And that would be forever! But he also knew the Lord Jesus loved him very much and wanted to wash his sins away and be his Savior. Then he could live with Jesus in heaven. Lee didn’t wait any longer to accept the Lord Jesus as his Savior. He settled the matter right then and there!

I hope you will accept Him as your Savior too, right now!

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

ML-04/16/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The 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 black, brown, grizzly and polar bears. The brown bear we are considering today is the second largest bear in the world, next to the polar bear, which is the largest.. The brown bear lives mostly in Alaska, but there still may be a few left in Canada and the northern United States, and also in Europe and Asia. It is often mistaken for a grizzly to which it is closely related, but the brown bear is larger and stronger. A large one may weigh nearly a ton, and when standing on its hind feet it will be about 10 feet high. It can run 35 miles per hour.

This bear is usually thought of as a flesh eater, but actually its favorite foods are grass, weeds, flowers, berries, seeds, acorns and other nuts. Honey is also a favorite food. The bear’s heavy coat of hair protects it from getting stung by angry bees when ripping apart a nest.

There is an exception to the brown bear’s vegetarian diet—when salmon are returning from the ocean to spawn far upstream. At that time, large numbers of these bears wade into the shallow streams, scooping out one fish after another with their front paws onto the shore for a good meal. They never share these fish with each other.

It is most interesting to watch a bear wade out in the strong river current to the very edge of a waterfall. It waits there 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 be washed over the edge.

In winter, brown 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 usually two cubs are born, about the size of kittens. The mother nurses them until she takes them out of the den 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 (1 Samuel 17:34-35). However, the bears that live in that region of the world are not as large as these brown bears, but they are more fierce.

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 over us should thank Him often. A Bible verse says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving....For the Lord is a great God” (Psalm 95:2-3).

ML-04/16/2017

Willie's Homework Paper

Willie was in fourth grade. Sometimes Mrs. Snyder, his teacher, gave the children assignments to begin working on in class. What they didn’t finish at school had to be taken home and finished that evening. A parent was supposed to sign the finished homework paper, and it was to be turned in to the teacher the next day.

After a week of rain nearly every day, the weather had finally turned nice. Willie and his friends had played outside after school until time to go in for supper. Then after supper Willie had found other things to do, so the homework hadn’t been finished.

One day soon after, the telephone rang and Willie’s mother answered it. She was surprised to hear Willie’s voice on the other end. She knew something was wrong because Willie was almost crying.

“What’s wrong, Willie?” she quickly asked.

“I...I...I didn’t finish my homework,” he choked out.

“Is that all, Willie?” she asked doubtfully.

There was no mistaking; Willie was crying now. “Th...that was last week,” he added tearfully.

“Willie, is that the only reason you’re calling me from school?” she questioned him.

“No. You were supposed to sign that paper,” he explained.

“Willie, tell me about it.”

“Well, there were really two papers...and I signed them,” he confessed.

“You signed my name, Willie?”

“Yea, and I spelled it wrong,” he blurted out tearfully.

Willie was in trouble. The first thing he had done wrong was not finishing his homework. Then to cover that up so his teacher wouldn’t notice, he had done something else wrong—he had signed his mother’s name on his papers. This made it look like his mother had seen the papers and knew about the homework. But, he had spelled his mother’s first name “Mery” instead of “Mary.”

Mrs. Snyder had seen the misspelled name on both papers and knew what Willie had done. Willie’s cover-up job had fallen apart. “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

We all understand Willie’s sinking, guilty feeling when Mrs. Snyder called him up to her desk and asked him about his homework and pointed out his mother’s misspelled name. Every one of us has done something that we knew was wrong. We usually got caught and had to confess what we had done and suffer the consequences.

But sometimes our cover-ups worked and we didn’t get caught. We thought we had gotten away with it. But no, we hadn’t. Maybe our parents or teacher never found out, but God saw what we did! “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). What we did God calls sin. The Bible tells us that all sin must be punished by God. That punishment is being reserved until after we die in an awful place called hell. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment [punishment]” (Hebrews 9:27).

However, God loves you and me and He wants to forgive our sins. But still, there is punishment necessary for those sins. Because He loves you and me dearly, this is what He did. He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to bear that punishment on the cross—”Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). If you are truly sorry about your sins and confess to the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner, He promises He will forgive you. Then you will not have to be punished for your sins, because He took that punishment for them on the cross. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Are you still covering up your sins? Won’t you confess to the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner and accept His forgiveness instead?

MEMORY VERSE: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

ML-04/23/2017

"I Am the Way"

Many of you boys and girls may have learned the Bible verse in Sunday school that says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the way”? Here is a little story to help you understand what He meant.

A missionary told how a local guide was leading him through the African jungle. He asked the guide, “Is this the way?”

The guide answered, “No . . . I am the way . . . follow me!”

The guide knew that the missionary would become hopelessly lost without his guiding presence leading all the way through the dense jungle to the end of the journey.

And this is just the way it is with you and me. We could never find our way to God without the Lord Jesus. When Jesus said, “I am the way,” He saw that we were lost and far away from God. Not only did we need a Guide, but we also needed a Savior. Jesus hung on the cross to take our place and bear “our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Now all who believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior will one day arrive safely in heaven, at the end of the journey. But until then, as we live day by day, He has promised that the Holy Spirit will live within us and guide us safely until we reach our home in heaven.

Before Jesus was crucified, He told His followers, “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). He is living in heaven right now, and that is the happy end of the journey for all of us who know the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Guide.

Will heaven be the end of your journey?

ML-04/23/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Deadly Cobra

“Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil [men]....They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips.” Psalm 140:1,3

A wide variety of cobras live in lands such as Africa, southern Asia and the East Indies, including the Philippine Islands. The one we will look at is the king cobra, the largest and longest poisonous snake known, reaching a length of 18 feet! Cobras are nervous, and it is scary to watch one when excited raise its head 2 or 3 feet and then flatten its neck, expose its poisonous fangs with its greenish tongue flicking in and out, and stare at you with its beady eyes. Actually, it is more likely to retreat than to attack, because it is more interested in finding a frog, bird, small snake or small mammal to eat.

Some varieties of king cobras have brownish-olive backs; others are gray or black with light bands over the back, with underparts ranging from white to yellow or black. Scales on the back of the larger variety are mostly deep black with some brown areas and the underpart a tannish-yellow. Their red eyes with coal-black pupils are always open since they have no eyelids, and they only see an object when it moves.

Snake charmers of India train small cobras to stay coiled in an open basket until the charmer plays a flute while swaying his body back and forth. Soon the snake rises up and also sways, to the delight of spectators who give the charmer a few coins for the show. Most of these people are unaware that the snake is deaf and can’t hear the music, but it is actually sensing danger and holding itself on guard. It would do the same thing without the music.

Many people in those Asian lands worship cobras. Tragically, they are taught by their heathen priests that these serpents are gods, controlling not only every person’s life and health, but also their crops, sunshine, rain and storms. Expensive temples are built to worship these snakes, including idols often shaped like a coiled cobra or groups of them with raised bodies at various heights from the floor, having human heads crowned with gold or jewels. People bring flowers, food and expensive gifts, bowing down to these idols and worshipping them.

We are thankful for Christian people who try to turn these poor, deceived people to the Lord Jesus as the only true, loving Savior and away from the power of Satan. In Revelation 12:9, Satan is referred to as “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which [deceives] the whole world.”

Do not let that evil one deceive you. The Lord Jesus loves you and wants you to put your trust in Him. His Word, the Bible, invites each person to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

ML-04/23/2017

The King Could Not Sleep

The great King Darius could not get to sleep because his head was full of worried thoughts. Maybe you have a bad night like that sometimes, and if you do, I hope you know how to pray. If you tell God your thoughts, you can be sure He is listening, for our God never slumbers or sleeps, and He is always listening. “Behold, the Lord’s . . . ear [is not] heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).

I am sure King Darius had a very comfortable bed, but sleep would not come. His servants probably asked him if he wanted a midnight snack or if he wanted some soft music to help him fall asleep.

No, nothing would help. The trouble was that the great king wanted to change his mind. But he had signed the law, and he could not erase what he had done.

You and I can’t erase things that we have done either. Maybe you sinned yesterday, and today you wish you could wipe it out. But what you did is written in the books of heaven, and you cannot remove it!

Is there any hope for you? Oh, yes! Jesus knew all about you and your sins long ago, and He came into the world to save sinners. He died and shed His precious blood for a very special reason: “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If you are not a sinner, you cannot be saved. But if you are a sinner and are ready to tell God this and to accept His Son as your very own Savior, then your sins will be washed away and you will belong to Him forever. Knowing that you belong to Him is tremendous!

King Darius got up early the next morning, because he couldn’t forget what he had done at sunset the day before. He had given orders to throw Daniel into the den of hungry lions. Daniel was an old man who had faithfully served the kings of his country for many years, and all his accounts were correct and honest. The problem was that other men were jealous of him, and they convinced the king to pass a law that nobody could pray to anyone but the king himself. Then when they found Daniel on his knees praying to the God of heaven, they told the king about it and reminded him of his law that he had signed.

Even the king could not change the law. He racked his brain all day but could not think of any way to save Daniel.

I’m glad my God planned a way to save me! He sent His own beloved Son to die in my place—Jesus took my punishment!

King Darius hurried to the den of lions and called sadly, “Daniel . . . is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

Most of you know Daniel’s answer. “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” Most likely, while the king had a sleepless night, Daniel may have had a good night’s sleep in that den of lions. But I am sure he remembered first of all to thank God for that angel messenger who shut the lions’ mouths.

The relieved king quickly commanded his servants to lift Daniel up out of the den. But the rest of the story is the sad end of those jealous men who did not believe in Daniel’s God. They were thrown into the den of lions, and they had no Savior. The lions quickly proved how hungry they were. It was the king’s righteous punishment.

Our God is a God of righteous punishment too. He offers His free and loving forgiveness now—today. But our Jesus did not take the punishment for all sinners, only for those who come to Him, trust Him and accept His love. What does God do with sinners who refuse His Son as their Savior? “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

You may read this story for yourself in the Book of Daniel, chapter 6.

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

ML-04/30/2017

The Mt. Kilauea Volcano

A few years ago we had the privilege of visiting the Hawaiian Islands. One of the things we shall always remember is the destruction caused by the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Kilauea 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 that’s how forceful an eruption can be!

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 verse found in 2 Peter 3:10 that tells 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.”

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” (2 Peter 3:9).

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. Through Him is “the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-39).

What a wonderful God He is. Though He must punish sin, He loves you and wants to save you. 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-04/30/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Common Gannet

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

One of our earlier articles, entitled “Birds of the Cliffs,” mentioned gannets along with petrels, puffins and others and their group-nesting habits. Today we’ll look at the common gannet in more detail. In the summer they live along the north Atlantic coast, as well as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They migrate as far south as the coast of North Carolina for the winter.

The common gannet is a large bird, about three feet from the tip of its bill to the end of its tail and weighs about six pounds. It is snow-white except for black-tipped wings. It has a long, narrow tail, as well as four-toed webbed feet and a strong, sharp bill for catching and eating fish. Its long, tapered bill is sharply pointed and makes a good weapon. Nostrils that seal keep water from seeping in when it is underwater.

Gannets eat nothing but fish. Sometimes they search for fish in groups or they may search alone. Depending upon the weather, they may look for fish while flying just 10 or 12 feet above the water’s surface or as much as 50 or 60 feet high. Spotting a fish of the right size, a gannet will break away from the group in a quick dive, pulling its wings close to its body at the moment it hits the surface. It is such a swift swimmer that the fish rarely gets away!

A gannet can swallow a foot-long fish in one gulp. However, if there is a hungry baby in the nest, the parent will take the catch back to the nest. Then he or she will eat it and bring the digested food back up to a pouch in its throat where the hungry little one can reach it.

Mothers usually lay just one egg on a grass-lined spot of bare rock which is sheltered under an overhanging part of a cliff. It takes about a month to incubate the egg, and the mother does this by placing it under her warm webbed feet. After hatching, both parents guard the baby bird from vicious birds until it is able to fly. At that time, the young bird boldly leaps off the cliffside, perhaps as much as 200 feet above the water, and promptly discovers why the Creator has given it such strong wings. Reaching the water, it swims around for a long time, gaining strength in legs and body and never returns to its parents.

Isn’t it nice to know that the Creator is always watching over these interesting birds? A Bible verse tells us this: “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). What does He see as He watches over you?

ML-04/30/2017

Attacked by a Mountain Lion!

Have you ever seen a mountain lion in the wild? I am sure that most of you have not, but perhaps you’ve been to the zoo and have seen one there. It is the largest of the smaller wildcats and goes by many names: cougar, panther, and deer tiger are some of them. It is about the same size as the leopard. The great cats, like lions, tigers and leopards can roar but not purr, while the mountain lion can purr but not roar. Their weight is usually between 75 and 250 pounds, and they can jump as high as 18 feet! Their manner of hunting is to stalk their prey, crouching as much as 30 feet away from them before pouncing.

Our story today is about a mother who saved the life of her 5-year-old boy from a mountain lion attack. The family lived in Colorado, near Aspen. One evening, while the two boys were playing outside in the front yard, she heard screaming. Running outside, she found a mountain lion on top of her son! Without waiting even a moment, she ran over to her son, lifted up the lion’s paw, and saw her son’s head in the lion’s mouth. She was able to pry the lion’s jaws open and wrestle her son’s head from its mouth. Then she scooped him up and ran away. Thankfully, the mountain lion did not follow them.

There is no doubt of the mother’s love for her son, which gave her the courage to rescue her helpless son. Did you know that there is Someone who loved us enough to give up His life for us? Because we are helpless sinners before a righteous God and can in no way save ourselves, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins. He shed His precious blood on the cross and died that we might live. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

The little boy suffered deep cuts to his face, head and neck, but his injuries were not life-threatening. The mother also had minor injuries to her hands and legs. After talking to the father and mother, law enforcement officials found the lion under the tree in their front yard where the father said it would be. They were able to approach within 10 to 12 feet of the lion, which neither moved nor made a sound. Because he had attacked a human, the lion had to be shot and killed. He appeared to be between 8 and 9 months old.

“It wasn’t a big cat,” Deputy Michael Buglione said. “Had it been a 110-pound lion – which I’ve seen around here – this would have been a much different story,” and probably with a very sad ending.

We are all under the power of Satan, who is much stronger than us, until we receive God’s gift of salvation. “Christ also has once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). When we admit to God that we are sinners, and ask Him to forgive us for Jesus’ sake, He promises to do so and gives us eternal life. Then, we can know for sure that we will be safe forever! “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7).

MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7

ML-05/07/2017

"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 being used. 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 out, “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 Savior. Will you jump into His outstretched arms today? He can and will save you right now, and that’s forever!

ML-05/07/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Unwelcome Leeches

“Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.” 1 Chronicles 16:12

A leech, also called a bloodsucker, looks like a worm. Hundreds of varieties are found, especially in tropical countries. They range from 3/4 inch to 18 inches long and can stretch or shorten their bodies. Most are black, brown or gray, with lighter stripes. The horse leech is dark green. Suckers on both ends of their bodies enable them to move as some caterpillars do—the front end holding firm while the back end pushes the body forward in a loop. Then the front end loosens and moves forward as the body stretches out. This is done over and over until the leech reaches its goal.

The leech’s usual food is the blood of fish, frogs, worms, snails and some animals. The wound it makes when attaching to its victim is not painful. When its sharp little teeth puncture the victim’s skin, a pain-killing chemical comes out of its mouth. A thirsty leech sucking blood for a long time may swell up to three times its normal size. If not removed, six of them all working on a small animal, like a puppy, could take so much blood that in a short time it could die.

How does the leech attach itself to a victim? In water it slowly swims to a sleeping fish or other creature and attaches itself so gently that the victim is not aware anything is going on. In wooded or bushy areas, particularly where forests have frequent rain, great numbers of leeches crawl a short way up tree trunks or tall bushes and rest on moist leaves until an animal or even a bare-backed person walks below them. At just the right moment they slide off the leaf and drop so gently that the victim doesn’t even know what has taken place. How would you like to walk through a place like that?

In times past, before modern medical treatments were available for sick people, doctors kept a number of leeches available. They thought many illnesses were due to something wrong in the blood. They used the leeches to remove blood from the sick person. Most people didn’t know any better either, and probably asked for that kind of treatment. Medical doctors in most countries no longer use leeches.

Leeches are a part of the Creator’s creation, to which the opening Bible verse refers. Let us also remember another Bible verse that tells us, “All things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). How good of God to give us such a clear explanation of creation. Man has come up with his own ideas, but God’s Word is the truth.

ML-05/07/2017

Set 6

Zip to the Rescue

The children loved Zip their Collie dog, but sometimes he was a bother. He had to go everywhere they went since he seemed to feel it was his job to take care of them, especially when they were swimming. Again and again they would chase him out of the water, because he would grab their bathing suits in his teeth and tug them toward the shore. From the shore he would watch them playing in the water, with an alert worried-dog-look in his eyes.

One day while the children were swimming, Freddy found a sun-dried log that floated like a cork. He could swim a little, and a good log was actually more fun than an inner tube. He paddled with his hands and feet and soon was out beyond the rest of the children who were swimming. It made him feel brave to be out where the water was deep, and out there he could have his log all to himself.

But after a while it did not seem so much fun to be alone. The others seemed to be having fun playing a game of water tag together. So Freddy rolled off his log and began to swim toward shore. He swam until he was tired, and it seemed to him that he should be in far enough to touch bottom with his feet. He stopped kicking and let his feet go down.

Blub-blub-blub. . . oh-oh! Where was the bottom? There was nothing to stand on! Not just his feet had gone down, but his head had gone under too. He splashed hard with his arms and tried to kick with his feet. Slowly his head came up out of the water, but just long enough for one good breath of air! Down he went again! He splashed hard again, but he just wasn’t able to make any progress.

Up and down he struggled in the water until he was so tired. Freddie had never been so frightened in his whole life. Was he drowning? With eyes wide open, he saw big bubbles churning in the water around him.

He was coming up again, slowly. What was that? . . . Something reddish brown was in the water beside him . . . it looked like Zip’s tail!

Freddy grabbed it and held on with all the strength he had left. Zip seemed to understand. He swarm straight to shore with Freddy holding tight to his tail!

Freddy loved Zip even more after that. He had saved his life! He never would forget the awful feeling of reaching for the bottom of the lake with his feet and finding nothing to stand on!

Is that a little bit like the way people will feel someday when they stand before God to be judged for their sins? Because Freddy was a Christian, he could say, “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” (Psalm 40:2).

Freddy had learned when he was just a little boy that he was a sinner and could not save himself. He had read, “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).

Reaching out in faith, he had taken hold of God’s promise just as simply as he had taken hold of Zip’s tail, and the Lord Jesus had “rescued” him. Freddy was saved, and the Bible told him that his feet were safely upon the Rock—Christ Jesus.

Someday will you have to face God with nothing to stand on? Excuses, good works, friends—none of them will help you when that time comes. Reach out in faith today and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.

MEMORY VERSE: “He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

ML-05/14/2017

I Gave My Key to a Thief

Today I was cutting out Bible Keys for my Sunday school class of children. I was using brightly colored poster paper and decided to use the following colors for these verses:

Blue: “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 16:19

Orange: “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3

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

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

Green: “The gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23

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

While I was working on the project, I was reminded of how I had given the “key” of my computer to a thief just a few days before!

As I was working on my computer that day, suddenly a loud voice startled me! “Your computer is under attack! Call this number immediately to prevent your computer from being damaged!” The voice had identified itself by a company name I knew. They had made the main parts of my computer, so I trusted them.

I quickly called the number they gave me and followed the directions of the person on the phone. As I watched him take control of my computer, I became suspicious and nervous! I called my daughter on my cell phone, and she quickly told me my computer was being hacked! I tried to stop the thief on the other end, but it was too late. My computer’s operating system had been destroyed! The thief also stole some personal information and pictures.

Satan is another thief and a liar, but he has a lot more power. He is trying to destroy boys and girls so they won’t believe that Jesus loves them and died to save them from their sins. But in the Bible we can read and use the key gospel verses above to understand how we can be saved. We must have our sins washed away by the Lord Jesus, or the door to heaven will not be open to us! Will it be open for you?

ML-05/14/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Geckos and Chuckwallas

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

Geckos are small lizards that live in warm climates and are the most interesting member of the lizard family. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. Their name comes from the loud call that many kinds of geckos make. Most are active creatures of the night.

In North American deserts, the pretty banded gecko is plentiful. It has soft, pliable skin, large eyes, a long tongue for snatching insects and makes its home in the rocks. The unusual fat-tailed gecko of Pakistan has leopard-like coloring on top and on its extra-fat tail and is plain gray on the underside.

One of the more interesting geckos is found in an African desert. It is beautifully colored and has paddle-like, fleshy feet, provided by the Creator to help it travel over sand and probe for insects. The feet of most other geckos have adhesive toe pads that are covered with thousands of tiny hooks, enabling them to travel on smooth walls and upside down on ceilings. Their grip is so tight that they need to pull each foot loose before taking the next step.

Geckos eat mainly insects. Because they devour so many insects, in some countries they are treated as pets in people’s homes, even eating scraps at the table.

The large, rusty-brown chuckwalla is really a lizard that is over a foot long, similar to an iguana. These creatures live in arid regions in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Some are found on coastal islands.

Like the iguana, a chuckwalla prefers to eat the buds, flowers and foliage of creosote plants. At night, sometimes both creatures share a creosote bush. They both live in lava beds and in the rocks of the southwestern deserts.

A most interesting feature about chuckwallas is how they escape from their enemies. They crawl into a narrow rock crevice and then fill their lungs with air, making themselves fit in the crevice so tightly that they can’t be pulled out. Where do you think they learned to do this? They didn’t learn by themselves; they received this life-saving instinct from their Creator.

Covered with loose, sandpaper-like skin, chuckwallas look rather fierce. They aren’t— they are harmless. Although they are night workers, they often can be spotted in daylight, sunning themselves on a rock. They are just one more of God’s creatures that is quite satisfied with its life-style.

As we consider these creatures, let us always remember our God of whom it is said, “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth . . . and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). The Bible contains God’s account of the truth of creation.

ML-05/14/2017

Dumitru's Scare!

Dumitru had a good friend who was a Christian man, but he himself was not saved. His Christian friend Ioan often told him about Jesus, God’s Son, and that He died on the cross to save sinners from their sins. He tried to warn Dumitru that being saved from his sins was the only way to get to heaven. But Dumitru didn’t see what was so important about getting saved.

One evening, Ioan invited Dumitru to his home to have dinner with a few other Christian friends. Dumitru enjoyed being with these Christians, because they were very kind and happy, so he accepted the invitation.

Just as they sat down for dinner, Ioan saw that he had forgotten to buy bread and mentioned it. “There’s a market just down the block,” said Dumitru. “I can go buy some bread and be back in 15 minutes.”

As soon as he left, an idea came to Ioan’s mind. Quickly he told his idea to his Christian friends, and they changed into different clothes. Then they took the ones they had been wearing and placed them on the chairs where each had been sitting. When they saw Dumitru approaching the house, they all hid in another room and waited.

Dumitru, unsuspecting of anything, entered the house with the bread he had bought. Suddenly, he froze! He took one look at the empty chairs with the clothes piled on them and knew what had happened! “NO!” he cried in great anguish! He thought Jesus had called all the people to heaven who were saved from their sins! He knew all about what would happen when Jesus came. Ioan had warned him many, many times that Jesus would call all the Christians home to heaven someday. Nobody knew when that would happen, so it was very important that Dumitru needed to be saved to be ready!

Dropping to the floor on his knees, Dumitru tore at his clothes and hair as despair flooded over him. Ioan and his friends rushed out to him! They were afraid Dumitru would have a heart attack and die of fright and shock!

Shaking all over, Dumitru looked up at them and then immediately realized that Jesus hadn’t come yet. Right then and there he saw that eternity was real and it was very, very important to be ready. Dumitru accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior there in the house that very day! His friends hadn’t meant to scare him that much, but he certainly got the message.

How many of you boys and girls haven’t accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior? Sometimes a Christian parent hasn’t been home when their son or daughter came home from school and found Mom or Dad wasn’t there. They know Jesus is coming back soon to take all the saved people to heaven, and they also know they aren’t saved. It’s mighty frightening until the parent arrives home! Most realize then that it’s time to talk to Jesus about their sins and accept Him as their Savior right away!

Boys and girls, time is running out! Jesus loves you very much and is waiting to hear from you right now! Don’t be left behind! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

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

ML-05/21/2017

Ace's Hot Day

As Liz and her younger sister Patti opened the car doors to go shopping, Ace, the family’s big German shepherd, came bounding out the front door. Ace loved to ride in the car, and the girls took him with them whenever they could. He was fun to have along and behaved himself pretty well.

It was a hot day, but Liz and Patti knew they would be in the store only a short time. They thought Ace would be okay in the car by himself while they were shopping, so they let him come along. As they drove off, Ace stuck his head out the window and let the wind blow back his pointed ears, closing his eyes. Liz and Patti laughed at how he looked.

When they parked the car near the store, they made sure to leave the windows partway open so Ace wouldn’t get too hot. However, they were careful not to open them too far, because he might get tired of waiting and jump out.

The air-conditioned store felt so good that the girls stayed longer than they had planned. Suddenly they remembered Ace, quickly paid for their things and ran to the car. To their surprise, there was no excited dog poking his head out the window to greet them. Ace was gone!

Liz and Patti, who now were worried and upset, looked around the parking lot, calling him. He was not anywhere to be found! “Let’s drive around and look for him,” Patti said.

Liz opened the car door and gasped as she felt the hot air in the car. “Poor Ace!” she exclaimed. “He must have gotten so hot that somehow he squeezed out the window!”

Now the girls were worried that Ace was lost, but they knew that the Lord Jesus knew exactly where he was. They prayed, asking Him for help to find their dog. Liz remembered a verse from the Bible: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6). So if God cared about sparrows, Liz was sure He was taking care of Ace.

They drove around the block. Just as they pulled up to a red traffic light, they saw Ace across the street. He was standing in the middle of a flower bed in front of a bank, looking dazed and bewildered. Liz slammed on the brakes, and both girls jumped out of the car calling, “ACE! ACE!” at the top of their lungs. Other drivers stared at them curiously. Ace meekly allowed Liz and Patti to lead him back to the car. He was hot and panting, and he lay quietly in the back seat all the way home.

When they got home, Ace drank several large bowls of water. Liz and Patti thanked the Lord Jesus for taking care of Ace and for His love to them.

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

ML-05/21/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Hidden Beauty Spots

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

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

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

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

In late summer this great expanse exhibits beautiful colors. Blueberries, bilberries and others, along with the leaves of their bushes, change to red, purple, blue and other colors, and the entire landscape is changed into a thing of beauty. At the same time birch, willow and aspen trees at the tundra’s edge add lovely yellows, reds and browns. Over it all at night an added spectacle sweeps the sky—the amazing northern lights shimmering across the whole expanse, piercing the darkness with their striking forms and colors. Northern lights are seen frequently in far northern Canada, but in more recent years, southern Canada and northern United States see them occasionally.

However, when we remember that the Bible says of the Creator, “For Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11), we see that these beauties are not wasted. The One who has included it in His creation has great pleasure in looking on it.

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

ML-05/21/2017

Mary, Help Me!

Jesus was a foot-traveler, as poor men sometimes are. He came to the village of Bethany where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

That was a good welcome, wasn’t it? Perhaps if you wanted Jesus to come to your house, there might be a few things to do first. You might need to tidy up and put some things out of sight, quickly turn off the TV, and be careful of the language you use. But it seems that Martha did not need to do any of these things. And what good would it do anyway? Where can you put things that Jesus will not know that they are there? Let’s always remember Hebrews 4:13: “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

It is wonderful to welcome Jesus into your home. It’s good to always have things in order for Him. Will He take all feeling of stress out of your life and bring peace to your home? No, not really. The stress remained in Martha’s home and perhaps grew even greater. We will tell you the story, but you may also read it in Luke 10:38-42.

Martha was a busy hostess. She wanted to do things just right for her special Guest, until she was stressed out about it all and so upset that she became a faultfinder. Do some of you today feel the same way? Are you trying to do your best and others are not helping as they should? Are you upset and stressed out about it? Martha was, and Jesus understood.

Martha had a sister named Mary who was listening to Jesus, and she did not want to miss a word. She sat at His feet and listened to all He said. Jesus was the Giver, and she needed Him. Do you need Him too?

But Martha was so upset with Mary that she asked Jesus, Don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Ask her to help me.

If we talk like that to Jesus, we have not learned to know Him. Yes, He cares about every detail of our lives, as only perfect love can care. Martha thought that the problem was her sister, but it was really in herself. The same perfect love and wisdom looks at you today and says, as Jesus said, “Martha, Martha.” Just imagine Him saying your name like that, with double tenderness and understanding. He did not scold her, even though she had tried to correct Him. He put His finger on the real cause and told Martha, “Thou art careful and troubled about many things . . . and Mary [has] chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary heard this promise, and although she said nothing, Jesus’ words stayed with her. She was a listener, and this would not be taken away from her.

Maybe you know some busy ladies whose helping hands have served many, and those hands lie idle now and can’t do anything. Those very same ladies now can be listeners like Mary, and what is learned will carry over to heaven. Sickness or age may stop our busy hands, but nothing can stop our learning more and more about Jesus and His love.

It is good to have busy hands in the service of the Lord, but only if those hands work in obedience and love to the One to whom we belong. Depending on Jesus gives us peace in our daily duties on the road to heaven. And nothing else gives us this peace. “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

MEMORY VERSE: “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13

ML-05/28/2017

"Right Now, Mommy!"

Kari sat safely strapped in her car seat beside her mother. These freeway rides were sometimes scary, with speeding cars and roaring trucks rushing down four or five lanes. Kari was almost 4 years old and usually took comfort in playing with her doll. Today she heard her mother say, “Uh-oh” and looked ahead to see several lines of red brake lights warning to stop! “Trouble ahead,” her mother said, slowing to a near stop. She reached a reassuring hand over to Kari. The little girl’s fear was partly overcome by wanting to see.

“Did the cars go bang, Mommy?” The lane they were in led them right beside a badly mangled car. Beside it on the pavement lay the body of a man, bloody and still.

“Don’t look, Kari,” her mother warned her. But Kari had seen, and for miles, even after reaching home, in her mind she kept seeing that tragic accident.

“Will he die, Mommy?”

Kari’s mother wanted to comfort her little girl, but she knew she should speak plainly to her. “He might already have died or he may get better in the hospital. We hope he will get better, but we don’t know. Kari, honey, you know that children sometimes are hurt in accidents or just on a street near home. That’s why it is so important to ask the Lord Jesus to wash all your naughty sins away. Then if you should die suddenly, you can go straight to the loving arms of Jesus in heaven. You do know that you are naughty at times and your heart needs to be washed clean of your sins, don’t you, Kari?”

“Yes, Mommy, I know, and I want to do it now, Mommy. I want them washed away RIGHT NOW!”

“Then let’s both kneel down and tell the Lord Jesus that you want Him to wash your sins away and be your Savior. Tell Him that you believe He will do just what He says in the Bible.”

Kari sweetly and simply said the most important words of her life. Getting up from her knees, she beamed, “Mommy, when I wake up my eyes in heaven, I’m going to give the Lord Jesus a great big hug!”

Young? Yes. But Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

ML-05/28/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: An Outstanding Water Lily

“O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things.” Isaiah 25:1

Like some other beautiful plants, the Queen Victoria water lily grows in water, although its roots reach down to a rich soil base. This plant grows best where there is room for its huge, colorful lily pads to spread out on the water’s surface. This lily pad’s large, flat surface, sometimes as much as three feet across, is decorated with an upturned edge forming an outside rim. It is actually made up of several overlapping leaves and held tightly together by strong veins underneath. These veins grow out from a tube that extends down three feet or more to the roots. Food from the soil, blended with water, rises through this tube to keep the entire plant healthy and strong.

The rib-like veins not only form the leaves into a flat circle, they also add strength and support to the plant. When natives of Bolivia, where this plant was first found, discovered the strength of these lily pads, mothers would at times lay their babies down on the flat surface for a napping spot. The little ones would be safe and content, provided the mother picked a shady spot.

Seeds were taken and plants successfully grown in England and North America. In later experiments by nurserymen, it was found that a full-sized Victoria could easily hold a person weighing as much as 150 pounds!

The flowers growing close to the side of the plant are beautiful and large—about the size of a soccer ball. Each large flower lives only three days, gradually changing from a lovely white to pretty pinky purple after it has been pollinated. But more flowers continue opening throughout the whole year, and a healthy plant with its beautiful floating flowers always makes an outstanding picture.

An interesting fact about these flowers is that they do not open fully until late in the day and close again as dawn approaches. This means that insects attracted to them during the night often are caught unawares as the petals enclose them and are trapped inside until the next evening. But it is nice and warm in there, and they are not harmed. This is actually an interesting way the Creator has arranged for the flowers to be pollinated. The insect moving around inside the closed blossom becomes covered with pollen. When it later escapes, it often flies to another Victoria plant, transferring the pollen, one of God’s ways of assuring that healthy seeds will be formed.

These beautiful plants are another example of the wonderful ways of the Lord God when He created all things of this world. Our opening Bible verse speaks of praising God for His wonderful ways. May we always thank Him for not only His wonderful ways, but also for the great love He provides for anyone who will come to Him.

ML-05/28/2017

A Coyote in Trouble

Hello Children!

Here where we live, we still have forest and open fields around us, and wildlife and birds, and we enjoy it all every day! Yes, even in the cold and snowy months of winter we find the wildlife is much easier to see against the white snow and to see their footprints in the snow. God has said, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). What a beautiful promise!

Now I want to tell you about a coyote that had somehow gotten lost and was in the city, instead of in the forest where he belonged! Do you children know what a coyote looks like? It looks very much like a big dog. It’s bigger than a fox and smaller than a wolf.

This coyote was trying very hard to get back to the forest where it came from. However, people in cars were blowing their horns and frightening it. This poor animal needed help or it would get killed crossing a street with traffic everywhere!

Let’s stop right here and think about the lost sheep that we read about in Luke 15:3-6. There were 100 sheep, but one, just one, strayed away from the shepherd. Why did he stray away? Maybe he thought, “I can find better food somewhere else.” But, that sheep got lost! Any wolf or fox would be very happy to find this lost sheep and have it for dinner!

But when the shepherd guided his flock of sheep into a safe place for the night, he discovered that one was missing! Without wasting time, because it would soon be dark, he picked up his staff and went searching for the lost sheep. And he didn’t stop searching until he found it! What joy! Then he picked it up and laid it on his shoulders and carried it back to the flock to be with the others in the safe place. Now that’s a happy ending!

Now let’s see what happened to the coyote that was lost in the city. In its running here and there, it fell into a deep, wide crack in the cement and was trapped about eight feet down. When rescuers found it, how were they to get it out of there without getting bitten by the animal? The crack was too narrow for the coyote to turn around, so the rescuers pulled the coyote slowly backwards and upwards, using a catch pole around its middle to pull it to safety. They were able to put a muzzle over the coyote’s mouth so no one would get bitten and then move it into a cage. They lifted the cage onto a small truck and drove it to a field where they released it after taking the muzzle off. Neither the animal nor the rescuers were injured, so it’s a happy ending to the coyote’s problem.

Children, there is a very happy home for you and me at the end of our lives. It’s called heaven. But only boys, girls and adults will be there who have been saved from their sins. This coyote could not save itself, and neither can you save yourself from your sins. But God gives us these two Bible verses that tell us how to be saved: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “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). This is the only sure way to be saved and know you will have a place reserved for you in heaven. And that will give you a happy forever after with Jesus your Savior who loves you and died for you!

With love from Grampa

MEMORY VERSE: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

ML-06/04/2017

Matthew's Important Question

“Hi, Matthew,” I greeted my little friend. “Remember what we were talking about the other day?”

“Yeah,” answered Matthew. “I was gonna ask the Lord Jesus to wash away my sins.”

“Did you do that?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“And did the Lord Jesus wash away your sins?”

Matthew shrugged his shoulders, showing he wasn’t sure.

“He sure did!” I said. “Because He promises to hear and to answer our prayers.”

A few days later I was in the swimming pool again and Matthew came up to the fence looking rather sad. For a while he just stood there watching. Then he said, “If you’re bad after you ask the Lord Jesus to wash your sins away, are you still gonna go to heaven?”

“Yes,” I assured him. “When the Lord Jesus washes your sins away in His precious blood, you become one of God’s children, and from then on you’re always His child! Matthew, remember the story of Noah escaping from the flood in the ark?”

“Yep, with lots of animals!” said Matthew with delight.

“It wasn’t because Noah never did anything wrong that he escaped being drowned. It was because he believed God when God said, ‘Noah, I want you to build an ark and go into it and you will be safe.’ Today God tells us to believe that the Lord Jesus died for our sins and let Him wash them away, and we will be safe. But Noah and you and I all had to believe God first, didn’t we?”

“Yeah. Could the ark sink?” asked Matthew.

“No, God knows everything, and He told Noah exactly how to build the ark so it would be completely safe. Then when Noah and all his family and the animals were inside, God shut the door so tightly that not one drop of water could leak in. No, that ark could never sink, and neither can we. Once we’re God’s children, we’re on our way to heaven. But God wants us to act like His children, too. Remember, the Lord Jesus gave His life for us, and He wants us to remember that we belong to Him.”

Are you one of God’s children? If so, are you trying to please Him? “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).

ML-06/04/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes

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

These very interesting birds with strange habits are found throughout the world. Large numbers of grebes in many varieties live in the northwestern United States, Canada, Alaska and Iceland. Most of the 20 species fly quite well, though they have difficulty getting off the ground. Once they are airborne they can fly long distances, and some of them migrate to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts for the winter months and then return north in the spring. However, three species do not fly at all, and the others fly only when necessary, preferring to remain near their nests in the marshy areas of ponds and lakes.

These birds are excellent swimmers and divers. The legs of these birds are placed far back on their bodies, and they have long feet. This makes them clumsy and almost helpless on land. They can run for a short distance but are prone to falling over. In water, however, they are extremely graceful and wonderful swimmers, both on the surface and underwater. Although they are a rather large bird, they can dive from the surface without leaving even a ripple to show where they had been. The baby grebes can swim as soon as they hatch.

The nest, which floats on the water, is usually built by both parents in shallow water, using weeds, sticks and reeds. It is tied to something solid or anchored underwater to keep it from drifting away. Isn’t it remarkable that the Creator has taught them to do this?

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

Although they do not have webbed feet, the Creator has given them special flap-like membranes on their long toes to aid in swimming. Their legs are not round like most birds, but pointed in front and back, helping them to move swiftly through water and helping them catch fish, which they spear with their long, sharp, pointed beaks.

An unusual habit of all grebes is that they eat great quantities of feathers, even feeding them to their young. No one is quite sure why they do this, but some wonder if the feathers act as strainers or cushions to keep fish bones from piercing the inside of their bodies. Whatever the reason may be, it is part of God’s wonderful design.

The ways of these birds show again the care of God in giving them remarkable instincts. But He gave more than this to mankind. In the Bible the question is asked, “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36). The answer is that the Lord God, the Creator, has done this.

ML-06/04/2017

Set 7

Sue Couldn't Fix It

Sue was helping load the dishwasher after dinner. She filled the top rack and pushed it in and began pushing in the already-filled bottom rack. “Why won’t this rack roll in, Mom?” she asked.

“There must be something sticking out or up through the rack,” answered her mother as she washed the pots and pans in the sink that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher.

“I don’t see anything,” said Sue, still pushing harder.

“Well, there’s got to be something there holding it,” said her mother, bending over the dishwasher and jiggling the rack back and forth. But she didn’t see anything either. She jiggled the rack once again, and then light glinted off something shiny underneath it.

“There it is! It’s a knife blade hanging down and catching on the heating element.” Mom pulled out the knife and laughed as she held it up. “That’s the end of that paring knife,” and she laid it on the kitchen counter. The blade was bent almost to look like the letter “C.”

Is there something in your life which keeps you from doing what you should? Don’t just try to push ahead without finding the problem. God wants you to stop and take a look at your life in the light of His Word, the Bible. God is light, and He will show you that what’s wrong in your life is sin. But God is also love. God loves you so much that He sent His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for sin. “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Now the bottom rack rolled in easily and the dishwasher was soon busy at its job of washing its load of dishes. Mom turned to the sink to continue scrubbing the pots and pans.

Sue picked up the bent knife and felt badly because she had ruined it. Maybe I could straighten it, she thought, so she began to push hard on the blade. Instead of the blade straightening, it suddenly snapped, and the broken end jabbed into her hand at the base of the thumb, leaving a big, bleeding gash. Mom grabbed a clean towel, and Sue pressed it on her hand to stop the bleeding.

How can I be so stupid? Sue asked herself. It wasn’t worth it to try to fix that old knife.

But some of us are still trying to fix up our old, sinful lives when we really need a brand new life. We need to be “born again” by the Word of God which lives and lasts forever. The Lord Jesus says, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5-7).

Have you been born again? Do you have that new life that only God can give? Or are you trying to fix up your old sinful life? God says it can’t be fixed. “[Truly, truly], I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God [or heaven]” (John 3:3).

MEMORY VERSE: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

ML-06/11/2017

Saving a Friend

It was just after midnight. The phones were still ringing as the fire truck pulled out of the station. It headed downtown in the cold 30-degrees-below-zero darkness. This was no false alarm: thick smoke was already rising over the streets. The little mining town had had its share of fires. Here was another one which by morning would burn down three stores before local and area firefighters could control it.

Rocky had his air pack on even before the fire truck pulled up to the video store. Henry put on his air pack and quickly followed Rocky and his hose line deep into the smoke-filled store.

It was hot and black. The water didn’t do much. “We’ve got to get out of here!” Henry called to Rocky. It was too hot to stand. Crawling on hands and knees and following the hose line, they started for the door.

Reaching the door, Henry realized his friend wasn’t with him. In the smoke and heat behind him, he heard the alarm on Rocky’s air pack—only 3-5 minutes of air left. Where was he? In the blackness Henry heard thumping and yelling.

Henry said later, “I was mostly thinking about myself. My alarm had gone off, and I knew I had to get out of there!” Instead, he went back in.

This is what God’s love is like . . . only greater! “The Father sent [His] Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

Rocky had bumped into a counter and had let go of the hose. Out of air and confused in the black, smoky heat, he was lost. But now he held onto the leg of his friend as they both crawled out to safety.

In moments, Rocky, now unconscious, was in a police cruiser being rushed to the hospital to treat his burned face and lungs. It would be several weeks before he would see his saving friend, Henry.

The fire chief said, “Henry risked his life. The odds were probably against his making it.”

The Bible says, “For a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). Yes, it takes courage to risk your life for a friend. But stop and think of the love of the Lord Jesus. He gave His life for His enemies—sinners. That includes you and me. We are lost, in darkness and in great danger. Our time is limited as well, and the alarm certainly has sounded. Thank God there is One who loved us so much He was willing to take the punishment for our sin when He died on the cross. We could only perish in our sins if He did not save us.

Have you really thought about your helplessness and danger? The One “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4) is reaching out to you. Will you follow Him?

ML-06/11/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Water Strider

“Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number.” Isaiah 40:26

Springtime has come; the snow and ice over the pond have melted, and there are new signs of life. An amazing variety of creatures rise to the surface, having come from the muddy bottom or from stems of plants, as well as from under rocks, roots and water-soaked logs. Along with frogs, snails and salamanders, there are a number of small insects such as sow bugs, beetles and nymphs stirring about on the bottom.

Included in this awakening in freshwater lakes and ponds of Canada and the United States are numbers of water striders, also known as water skippers or skaters, which live on the surface of the pond. If placed on your open palm, a full-grown strider with its thin, wire-like legs extended would just about cover it. These are interesting insects to watch as they “skate” on the surface of the pond. And they are beneficial insects because they eat other insects, including mosquito larvae. They also eat spiders.

They are usually found in large groups, quickly scattering in all directions when threatened and coming together again when the danger is past. When one of these is seen skimming over the water, it appears to be mostly legs, since each leg is about twice as long as its body.

But it is these long, thin, spindly legs that enable it to “skate” over the quiet surface of a pond with its body lifted slightly above the water, never resting on it. Both the front and back pairs of legs extend from the center of the strider’s body—the back legs do the steering, as well as some of the pushing, while the front legs provide most of the power that gives it such speedy movements.

Actually striders do not swim; they glide smoothly and quickly over the surface. Taking advantage of the surface tension on water, they can stay on the surface without breaking through and can skate along with remarkable speed. No splashing takes place—the legs just touch the surface lightly and leave little dimples behind them.

Water striders feed on dead insects as well as tiny live ones they are able to capture as they skate and sometimes hop about in their search for food. It is plain to see the Creator designed them only for swampy areas, for they cannot travel on dry ground.

You might think these little creatures, skimming about in such a lively manner, are hardly worth a person’s attention. But they do serve a purpose in God’s creation and are one more example of His wisdom and pleasure in making them an important part of the area of the world where they live.

How often do you take time to “stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God”? Job 37:14

ML-06/11/2017

A Dog Named Kelsey

In northern Michigan, on New Year’s Eve 2016, Bob was relaxing at home, watching football and waiting for midnight to celebrate the New Year. During a commercial, he ran outside to grab some firewood for his fireplace. It should have taken just a few moments since the wood pile was only 15 feet away. He had no idea of the 20-hour ordeal ahead of him.

Dressed in only a shirt, long johns and slippers, he suddenly slipped in the snow and fell, breaking his neck. Paralyzed in his hands and feet, he could only cry out for help. However, the nearest neighbor was a quarter of a mile away, and it was 10:30 p.m. As he yelled for help, there was a “best friend” that did hear his cries—his faithful dog Kelsey, a Golden Retriever. Knowing that her master was in trouble, she laid down beside him to keep him warm. She also licked his hands and face to keep him awake. But Kelsey did more than keep her master and best friend warm—she barked for help! And she continued to bark for the next 20 hours, until help finally came.

During the night, the temperature had dropped below freezing to 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and Bob struggled to stay awake. He finally gave in to unconsciousness. Kelsey even laid on top of him to keep him warm, and in spite of the cold night, Bob did not get frost bite. Finally, at 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day, a neighbor heard Kelsey’s barking and came to investigate. Help was finally on the way!

The Bible tells us, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Do you know who this Person is? It is the Lord Jesus. When we realize our need of a Savior because of our sins, we can cry out to Him for forgiveness and trust Him for our salvation. “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee” (Psalm 86:5). Do you know Him as your Savior? If you do, you have His wonderful promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

When Bob was taken to the hospital, he was nearly frozen to death, in spite of Kelsey’s lying on top of him to keep him warm. He also had an irregular heartbeat and a severe lower neck injury.

Bob had immediate surgery for his neck injury, which was successful. That let him regain more movement in his hands and feet. Even though he will need intense physical therapy, he should make a full recovery.

Bob gives credit to both Kelsey and the doctor. “Kelsey kept me warm and never stopped barking for help. Dr. Colen saved my life and ability to move. They both are truly my heroes, and I will be eternally grateful.”

Bob and Kelsey were wise enough to realize they needed help. Because of Kelsey’s barking, help finally did come even though it took 20 hours. But you will not have to wait that long if you cry to the Lord Jesus to have your sins forgiven. Jeremiah 31:34 gives you His promise: “I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” Why not get that matter settled right now!

MEMORY VERSE: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

ML-06/18/2017

Flood Rescue

At first the rain fell gently in northwestern Missouri. But then, day after day, it continued to rain, and it came harder and harder. The little streams turned into creeks. The creeks turned into rivers. And still the rain continued.

Farmer LaHue and his son Trent were warned that the Missouri River would rise rapidly. He was a wise farmer, so he started moving his grain out of the grain bins in the area where it would soon flood.

It is always wise to pay attention to any kind of warning. Boys and girls and men and women are warned to flee from the judgment that God says is coming like a flood. Some folks are wise and flee to Christ who is the only one able to save them from the coming flood of judgment. He loves you and died for you, and He offers you the only way of escape.

For four days the father and son worked around the clock to move their corn from the area that would flood. Kind neighbors came to help, loading their wagons and trucks. The LaHues also had a herd of cows with baby calves to move to higher ground as the flood waters rose. Some of the calves were stubborn and would not follow their mothers away from the flooding river. They soon were standing on little mounds of earth surrounded by the rising flood waters. They couldn’t escape. Trent went out in their boat and began to rescue them. Back and forth he went, lifting the stubborn calves into the boat and carrying them to safety.

On one mound he found two little fawns. He lifted them into the boat and brought them to their mothers who were watching from a hill. The mother deer could not rescue those fawns, but Trent could.

He saw rabbits swimming in the flood waters, but they were unable to save themselves even by swimming. Trent came along with the boat and picked up 32 rabbits with a dip net. They sat safely in the boat as kind Trent carried them to safety.

No one but Jesus can rescue you from the flood of judgment for your sins. He sees your need and has kindly and lovingly offered to wash your sins away. He went to Calvary’s cross and bore God’s judgment for the sins of every person who will believe and trust in Him. Will you accept His offer of rescue? “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 upon him” (John 3:36).

ML-06/18/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Plump Wombat

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

The wombat, sometimes called the Australian badger, is another of the interesting animals found in Australia. It is a marsupial, which means the mother carries her baby in a pouch until the baby is able to fend for itself. With most marsupials, this pouch is on the front of the mother’s body, like the kangaroo’s, but the wombat’s pouch is on her back. It would seem the Creator did this so that in digging her burrows she does not throw dirt into the pouch or on the little one inside.

Wombats are chubby and waddle when they walk, resembling bear cubs in many ways. Adults are 2 to 3 feet long and may weigh 80 pounds. Their long, coarse fur is most often brown, but some have fur that is gray, yellowish or black. They have broad heads with snouts like pigs, very small tails and strong legs and claws used for digging their burrows. They also have sharp teeth for gathering roots, leaves and bark for food, which is done at night. They curl up and sleep in their burrows during the day. These animals can be affectionate pets.

Babies are as tiny as mice at birth and immediately crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they nurse and develop for about six months. When the mother walks about, her baby may be seen poking its head out, watching where they are going.

One species, which lives in the southern forests and grasslands of Australia and nearby islands, has the name hairy-nosed and likes living together in large colonies. Their hair is silky, and with their long ears and furry muzzles they are rather cute.

A more common wombat has the name naked-nosed. This one is larger and has much coarser hair, short ears and a leathery nose free of fur. These prefer living in smaller groups.

All wombats, like badgers, are powerful and tough for their size. They live in burrows, many of which interlock with several openings. They will frequently move from one burrow to another, perhaps doing this to keep their enemies from knowing exactly where they nest.

Wombats are a good example of an interesting animal which God created and still cares for. The pouches of marsupials are an excellent illustration of how all animals have been created for their individual way of life. This way of life has continued “after their kind” ever since God said, “Let the earth bring forth the . . . beast of the earth after his kind” (Genesis 1:24). This includes the fact that a dirt-digging marsupial like the wombat was always to have its pouch on its back, in contrast to the others having theirs on the front. The wise Creator has made them this way.

ML-06/18/2017

Best Friends

Here is a story about two young men who were very best friends. One was the son of a king, and one was a shepherd, but their hearts were “knit together.” That means that they were such close friends that they loved each other. Maybe you have a best friend you truly love.

The young shepherd was having a hard time, because the king hated him with a heart full of jealousy and was determined to kill him. The young man spent his days on the mountainside and his nights in a cave, hiding from the jealous and hostile king.

He was not alone. There were many unhappy men who came to the mountainside with the young shepherd, shared his cave at night, and stayed right with him in his troubles.

But where was the young shepherd’s best friend—the king’s son? He was at home in the palace with his angry father. His heart was still true to his escaped friend, but he did not go with him to the mountains. Perhaps he thought he could do more good by staying at home. If so, his thoughts were wrong, for it didn’t work out that way.

When the two young men were together, the king’s son told his dear friend that he knew that God had given the kingdom to him, and when he became king, he, the king’s son, would be next to him. That was his plan, but it is best to let God make our plans for us, and it is good to know what His plans are.

How can you know? By reading God’s Word—the Bible, of course. He has it all written down for you to read, and no one can change His plans. He promises eternal life and a home in heaven with Himself forever and ever, just by trusting Him right now as your Lord and Savior. If you are wondering how that could be so wonderfully true, just read John’s Gospel and see!

And if you really do belong to Him, don’t choose the company of those who hate Him. You might make very good plans with that sort of company, but God will not make those plans work out. Choose God’s company now—right now even when others don’t want Him. Let Him plan your future, and wait to see what He will do.

Do you know the names of these two young men in our story? The young shepherd was David, and the king’s son was Jonathan. They were very best friends, and they loved each other, but David’s love was greater. That’s like the love of Jesus; it’s always greater than ours. He loved us all the way to the death of the cross.

There was a dreadful battle one day, and the king and his sons were killed. Yes, Jonathan died too! This was the time when David became king, but he was full of deep sadness because he had lost his best friend Jonathan. If only Jonathan had joined that crowd of unhappy men that stayed with David, he might not have lost his life and caused David such deep sadness.

What choice are you making today? Is Jesus your Savior? Or are you choosing what the world calls the “good life” in the company of the haters of Christ? If so, you make the heart sad of the One who loves you more than anyone. Choose Jesus. Choose to follow Him now, even if the world’s palace is nicer than the protection of the cave, and you will see what happens when He comes again in glory to claim you for His own. He wants your company, not only in heaven, but right now, too!

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts” (Psalm 119:63).

MEMORY VERSE: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

ML-06/25/2017

Running Alone

The Lord Jesus said something that every person, young or old, would do well to pay very careful attention to. He said, “Broad is the way, that [leads] to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat ... and narrow is the way, which [leads] unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Recently, we read of an event which is a good example of what the Lord Jesus meant. A group of over 100 runners set out on a 10,000-meter cross-country race. There would be only one winner, but each runner hoped to at least finish the race even if he or she didn’t win.

As the race progressed, one runner found himself running alone. Since he was sure he had followed the signs and taken the correct turn, he kept waving to the other runners to follow him. Only four believed he was going the right way and followed him. All the others followed the crowd of runners going the wrong direction and missed the goal of the race. Later when he was asked what the other runners’ reactions were to his taking the correct turn, the young man said, “They thought it was funny that I went the right way.”

And isn’t that just how it is for any boy or girl who decides to follow Jesus? Following Jesus means to leave the wide road that leads to destruction and to turn onto the narrow road that leads to eternal life in heaven. And sometimes it means you will run alone. Friends or family may think it is funny that you are going the right way, but the prize will be awarded to the one who continues on that right way, while all the others will miss it. Another Bible verse tells us to “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Jesus goes on before us, waving us on and beckoning us to follow Him. Because He knows the only way, we are safe when we follow Him. Don’t be like the runners who thought it was funny when the one runner took the right way. They lost both the race and the prize!

Are you going to miss the right way that leads to heaven?

ML-06/25/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Robins Are Popular

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

To nearly everyone in North America, the 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, hop-ping across a lawn. It will stop frequently, cock its head sideways as if listening, and then quickly tug a nice fat worm out of the ground and swallow 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 then in early spring they return to the exact spots they temporarily left behind—often to the very same nests. The same male and female are usually paired 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 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. Then 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. In only a few weeks, 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 love to eat 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. Both are part of the thrush family.

In looking at all kinds of birds, we are reminded that they are an important part of God’s creation. We cannot help but marvel at the wide variety He placed on the earth, 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-06/25/2017

Lessons From a Snapping Turtle

One day last spring, an object lesson walked right into my yard. Do you know what an object lesson is? It’s something in nature or something that happens in this world that can teach all of us—boys and girls, and dads and moms too—an important lesson for our hearts.

So what was my object lesson? It was a turtle. It wasn’t the one- or two-inch type that you might buy at a store to take home for a pet. It wasn’t a larger box turtle or painted turtle either. This was a big female snapping turtle! Her shell was about 15 inches across—bigger than the plates you use on your dinner table. She had crawled out of a nearby pond to find a spot where she could dig a hole to lay her eggs.

A snapping turtle is not very friendly; in fact, it’s not friendly at all. If you poke a stick at its head, it will snap at the stick with such speed and force that it can break the stick in two pieces. A snapping turtle is not the kind of a creature you want in your backyard. I was afraid that it might harm one of my dogs, so I decided that I should do away with the turtle. Once it was dead, I carried it on a shovel and laid it upside down on a pile of ashes where I had burned some brush a few days earlier.

Now I’d better tell you how this turtle is an object lesson. It is an object lesson of a very important, three-letter word—SIN.

First of all, snapping turtles are quite ugly. And so is sin. The devil would like you to think that sin is pretty and fun and exciting. He is a liar, but the Bible speaks the truth all the time. It tells us about the hurt and pain that come from even just one sin, and it declares the awful end of each one of us who have sinned: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

The Bible does speak about “the pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). But it also faithfully warns us that the enjoyment that we might think we’re going to get from doing a sin is only “for a season”—for a very short time. Sin never satisfies. It only makes us want more, and that’s how we get caught in its trap.

Several weeks later I had more brush burning to do. Guess what I found this time when I went to the pile of ashes: The turtle’s shell was full of millions of tiny worms called maggots that were feasting on its dead flesh. And did it ever smell horrible!

You know, if you want to sin, you have plenty of company in this world. Every boy and every girl is born with a sinful nature. Sooner or later, that sinful nature shows itself when we sin. “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). And sinners not only like to sin themselves, but they enjoy seeing others sin too. “Knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).

I did my brush burning. Some of the maggots were destroyed. But when the fire had died down, there was that turtle shell looking almost unharmed by the blaze. Then I saw something else that really amazed me: Inside that turtle shell were dozens of eggs. I counted over thirty of them, each the size of a large marble. If I had left that mother turtle alone, she would have dug a big hole in the ground, placed all those eggs in that hole, and covered them over with dirt. Several months later, those eggs would have hatched into many more snapping turtles.

That’s just how it is with sin. We often do one sin and then have to do another sin—such as lying—to cover up the first one. It’s a pretty bad picture, isn’t it? We don’t like to think so much about such a terrible subject as sin, do we? But if we ignore it, will it go away? No; absolutely not! It will only get worse, and in the end it will land us in that awful place called hell. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Is there then no good news? Thank God, there is. His own beloved Son, the sinless Man Christ Jesus, suffered, bled and died on the cross at Calvary so that He could offer you the forgiveness of all your sins as a free gift. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38).

Now it’s up to you. All you have to do is “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Don’t say “no” to the Savior of sinners. Trust Him today. It’s the only way to know that your sins are gone and that you are ready to go to heaven.

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

ML-07/02/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pretty Ocelot

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

Ocelots, which are about twice the size of house cats, are considered by many to be the most beautiful of the four-footed animals. They have pretty cat faces with long, white whiskers and small, upright ears pointing forward. Most are whitish or a tawny yellow, but the fur may also be reddish or smoky gray. Whatever their color, they are always spotted with beautiful black dots, varying in size, on their legs and feet and larger shell-shaped spots on the rest of their bodies. No two ocelots are ever marked the same way. If caught when young, an ocelot can be tamed and makes an excellent pet.

These are tropical animals and are at home in the marshy areas or riverbeds of the humid jungles of Central America and south to Paraguay in South America. They can also be found in the thick brush of southeastern Arizona and southern Texas.

Ocelots spend most of their lives on the ground but are excellent climbers. Active at night, they prowl about the underbrush, hunting for food. To avoid bright sunlight, most ocelots curl up inside a hollow tree, in dark caves or in the shade of heavy thickets during daylight hours. Wherever possible, they make their homes in trees and walk silently along the branches surrounding them.

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

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

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

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

ML-07/02/2017

Set 8

Saved by a Cat!

Mr. McIntosh was a 74-year-old man who lived by himself along with his five cats. They were his pets, and he loved them very much. One of them, a seven-month-old cat named Angel, would return his love and kindness by saving his life!

How many of you children have animals as pets? Those of you who love your pets and treat them with kindness know that they can become loving and loyal towards their owners. The Bible tells us, “A righteous man [cares about] the life of his [animal]” (Proverbs 12:10). This means that if we do have pets, God expects us to treat them with kindness.

One night while Mr. McIntosh was sleeping, he was awakened by one of his cats pawing at his face. Sitting up, he realized it was Angel and that something must be wrong! Then he heard a beeping noise, which he thought was the computer, but it wasn’t. Checking elsewhere, he discovered that it was a smoke detector beeping. He quickly got out of the house and called 911 for help.

Soon the firefighters arrived and were busy fighting the flames. They also looked for the five cats still inside. After a while, one of the firefighters came to Mr. McIntosh and told him that they had found the cats in his bedroom. “Great!” said Mr. McIntosh. “No,” said the firefighter, “I’m sorry. They all died.” All five cats had died from the smoke.

A woman from Animal Control was thoughtful enough to put them in a clothes basket and bring them to Mr. McIntosh so he could say goodbye to them. “If it hadn’t been for Angel, I would’ve been dead too,” he said.

When Mr. McIntosh realized he needed help, he was wise to get out of his house and call 911. He did not ignore the situation and hope that the fire would go out by itself. Boys and girls, we need to be wise also. We are all trapped in our sins and helpless to save ourselves. This is why God says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “All” means each one of us! God is holy and pure, and sin cannot come into His presence, so we need a Savior. Because God loves us, He sent His Son to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins. “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).

Mr. McIntosh’s losses were great. He lost his home where he and his wife had raised a son. And he lost his cats, which he said were his only source of comfort after his wife died of cancer. Boys and girls, the Bible tells us that there is a much greater loss that we can suffer, if we do not accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior. We can lose our souls in the lake of fire forever! That is why God gives us the chance now to receive eternal life. “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).

Even though Mr. McIntosh loved his cats, he was unable to save them. Anyone who has animals as pets knows that when they become badly frightened, they panic and become almost impossible to catch or control. But we are not like the animals. God has given each of us a mind and a heart to know the truth and the chance to accept it. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Do not think that your father or mother can save you. We must each accept God’s way of salvation for ourselves. Come to Him now, before it’s too late!

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

ML-07/09/2017

The High Climbers

One early morning, Robert had quite a surprise when he went out to do the farm chores. “I heard this funny noise,” he said. “I looked up and was amazed to see two raccoons on top of my silo!” The two masked creatures didn’t seem to be uneasy about their perch, but Robert was concerned. He was not sure they could figure out how to get back down.

A little later Robert heard an awful crash! He hurried outside to see what had caused it and found that one of the raccoons had fallen. It had landed on the metal roof of the feed shed below. Robert thought that a fall that far would surely have killed the raccoon, but it didn’t. He watched amazed as the raccoon shook himself, looked around and climbed right back up the side of the silo! Both raccoons stayed up there all day. During the night, the farmer heard chattering and thumping. By the next morning the two raccoons were gone.

In telling the story, Robert said he wondered if the raccoons were trying to climb to heaven. What a foolish thought! We read in the Bible that many, many years ago there were people living on the earth who got the idea they would build a tower “whose top may reach unto heaven” (Genesis 11:4). The Lord God saw what these people were doing, and He was not pleased about it. He did not permit all the people to continue speaking the same language, “that they may not understand one another’s speech” (Genesis 11:7). This made it impossible for them to go on working together. So in the next verse, we are told they had to stop building that city and the tower called Babel.

Even today people have some confused ideas about getting to heaven. Some boys and girls, and even grown-ups too, think if they are kind and helpful, doing good or even going to Sunday school every week, for sure God will take them to heaven. However, God has only one way for us to reach heaven. The Lord Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). God’s way to heaven is by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Savior. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was shed on the cross to wash away sins. Have you trusted Him to wash away your sins? This is the only way to reach heaven—God’s way.

Will you be there?

ML-07/09/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Useful Water Buffalo - Part 1

“Behold now behemoth [large beast], which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. . . . His bones are like bars of iron.” Job 40:15,18

There is no relationship between the water buffalo of Asia, India and Africa and the animals we often call buffalo in North America. The correct name for the North American buffalo is “bison.”

Wild water buffalo, which live in grassy jungles, swamps and marshes, are huge animals, much like the large beast described in the opening Bible verse. Fully grown water buffalo measure up to six feet high at their shoulders and weigh more than a ton. Because of their fierce natures, loud roars and great strength, only a well-armed hunter would want to get near them.

But the water buffalo, in which we are interested, have been tamed over many years— becoming somewhat smaller in the process—and are as gentle as a cow with people they know and serve. They seldom kick or attack people or other animals and are more useful and friendly than most bulls on North American farms. It is not uncommon to see children or grown persons riding or even sleeping on the bare back of a water buffalo, with only a rope or strap needed to guide them.

As a working animal, milk producer, source of meat and even as a human companion, this bulky animal is one of the most important domestic animals in the world. Their owners consider them a source of power, wealth and pride. In fact, this large beast, with its droopy neck and massive horns, has become so valuable that its reputation is spreading to more and more parts of the world, where people welcome them to replace hand and machine labor.

These animals, that do work no other animal could match, are a successful answer for many farmers who cannot afford a tractor or other machinery. Surefooted, their broad hoofs are well suited for moving through deep mud. As a result, they have become the principal means of plowing and preparing rice paddies in many areas which are covered with several inches of water and muddy soil underneath. Besides plowing, water buffalo transport heavy loads on sleds or carts and do a variety of other jobs on farms where their slow speed is plenty good enough.

Do you think animals of this kind are watched over by their Creator? They certainly are. There is not one part of God’s wonderful creation, large or small, that is not under His watchful care, as this Bible verse assures us: “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made . . . the earth, and all things that are therein” (Nehemiah 9:6).

Let us never forget another verse that tells us: “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He [sees] all his goings” (Job 34:21). Does that make you uneasy? or does it make you glad?

(to be continued)

ML-07/09/2017

The Pillow Mishap

There is almost nothing better when you are a nine-year-old boy than to have your best friend over for the night and have a good, rowdy pillow fight! Mark was delighted when his mother said, “All right, Danny can spend the night, but you’d better behave!”

It wasn’t long after supper until the two boys were having fun throwing pillows back and forth in Mark’s bedroom. The pillow fight soon moved out of Mark’s room and went from one room to another . . . until the boys found themselves in Mark’s sister’s room. The door had a sign on it which said, “MARY JANE’S ROOM,” with another sign below that said, “KEEP OUT.” But it was too late for the boys to pay much attention to the bottom sign.

This is the way it is with sin. Sometimes we get carried away doing something that may not be wrong in itself, but it may lead us into a place where we don’t belong. The Bible tells us that “a [wise] man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the [unwise] pass on, and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12).

Mary Jane’s room was painted pink and had lots of ruffles. There were white shelves on the walls that were full of little glass animals and other things she had collected. “Dust collectors!” her brother called them.

The pillow fight never slowed down, and Danny threw one at Mark, who ducked. The pillow sailed right towards one of those white shelves and knocked down a glass elephant. The boys stopped and stared. . . . The elephant had broken into three pieces!

“Oh no!” said Mark. “Now we’re really in for it!” But wait . . . Danny had an idea. He had heard that nail polish was good to use to stick things together if you were out of glue. And there was a bottle of nail polish right there on Mary Jane’s desk. This sounded like a good idea to Mark, so they put the three broken pieces together with nail polish.

Once the little glass elephant was back in one piece, the boys realized they had made a huge mistake—the elephant was white and the nail polish they had used was red! Now Mary Jane would know for sure! Mark knew they would have to explain what had happened and tell her they were sorry it had happened. And that is just what they did.

As Christians, we know from God’s Word, the Bible, that it never pays to try to cover up our sins, for God sees everything and we cannot hide our wrongdoings from Him. However, if we confess our sins, He is always ready to forgive us. It is much better to be honest and admit when we have done something wrong. And Mary Jane did forgive the boys for her broken and repaired elephant.

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

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

ML-07/16/2017

Mud Pies

Heather came running into the kitchen saying, “I’m home, Mommy. When do we eat?”

“Soon, dear. Where have you been?” her mother asked as she turned to face a very dirty little girl.

“In the field playing with Barbie and some other kids,” answered Heather. “She showed us how to make mud pies. She made them on that big, old log, while we got mud from the edge of the creek. It was really fun!”

“Maybe it was,” said her mother, “but you can’t eat at the table until you’re all cleaned up. You’re a mess!”

“I’m pretty clean,” Heather said quickly. “I washed my hands in the creek.” But when her mother rolled up the sleeves of Heather’s sweater, they both could see her arms were still quite dirty. Off to the bathroom went Heather to scrub her hands and arms, just like her mother had told her.

Now, while Heather is scrubbing off the mud, let’s stop and think for a minute about what this story tells us. Mud stains on our skin and clothes can be washed off, but sin stains on our hearts are far worse. Sin stains are on the inside, and there is nothing we can do to wash them off. Only God can wash them away!

Back in the kitchen, Heather said, “I think they’re clean now. Anyway, the other kids’ hands were a lot dirtier than mine!”

Her mother looked again at Heather’s hands. “That won’t do,” she said. “Look at those dirty fingernails! You can’t eat until they’re clean.”

So Heather went off again to scrub some more. Perhaps you don’t think that your sin-stained heart is as bad as “the other kids’.” Maybe you think their lives and hearts are much worse than yours. But let’s remember, God is looking at you. No amount of washing or being good can wash the sins from your heart. If you want to live with God in heaven, then He must say that you are clean.

“I can’t get all the dirt out,” Heather called from the bathroom.

Her mother went in to help. She added a little extra soap to Heather’s fingernails and a little more to her knuckles. Then with more scrubbing and a good rinse, she was clean. Her mother announced, “Now my Heather is clean. You may come to supper.”

Mother helped Heather get her hands clean, but God has to wash your sins away. God does it all Himself without our help, and then He says that we are clean. Won’t you let Him do it for you? The Bible says your sins are “red like cimson,” but He can make them “white as snow.” (See Isaiah 1:18.) Then we are ready to live with God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in His home in heaven. Up there we will sing that wonderful song in Revelation 1:5-6: “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood . . . to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”

ML-07/16/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Useful Water Buffalo - Part 2

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

Water buffalo seem to enjoy being up to their necks in a gooey mud hole. This is because they cannot stand much exposure to the sun. In the heat of the day, their owners allow them to move to shady spots or, better yet, wallow in a nice cool pond or mud hole. Then they enjoy buckets of water splashed on them when the mud bath is over.

In addition to serving their owners with their work, water buffalo provide nutritious milk, which is much richer than that of dairy cows, from which butter, cheese and yogurt are made. Buffalo meat tastes very good, providing steaks and hamburger. They are useful in other ways too—their hides make excellent leather, and even the big horns are used for a variety of articles.

Considering all this, it is easy to see why water buffalo are so popular in Asia, India and Africa. As an example of the value natives in several Philippine cities place on them, every May 14 is a holiday mostly in their honor. Groomed very carefully with hoofs and horns highly polished, hair trimmed and flowers draped over their necks, groups of 100 or more are proudly paraded through the streets.

Going back to the sixth day of God’s creation, God placed these animals on the earth, along with all others, and they were peaceful and harmless, in contrast to the present state of those in the wild. That sad change began to take place after sin came into the world, and sin has affected all of God’s lovely creation ever since.

The fact that many animals have been tamed provides a little picture for us to think about. By nature we all are sinners and are far from God. But through His love we can be brought in peace to Him, by admitting we are sinners and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Through His death on the cross, He has carried away the sins of all who will admit their sin and accept for themselves what He did on the cross. When this is done, a wonderful change takes place—much more wonderful than that of a wild water buffalo becoming a tame one. We are sure of this because the Bible says: “Therefore if any man [person] be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

If you have not been changed, the Bible also says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not wait one minute longer! Be changed now while the opportunity is still offered to you.

ML-07/16/2017

Stolen Hearts

King David had a son named Absalom who was very good-looking. He had very thick hair which he cut just once a year. He was so proud of it that he weighed the hair that was cut off.

King David had many problems, but he was a man who trusted God, even when he was a teenager and killed Goliath with a stone from his sling. He believed and listened to God who made heaven and earth. That’s why he said, “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4). Many times the Bible says about David, “The Lord was with him.”

But Absalom did not want the company of his father who trusted God. He wanted his own way.

The city of Jerusalem had a gate that was a busy place. Absalom decided to meet the townspeople there and greet them warmly with handshakes and kisses. He told them that the king didn’t have anybody to listen to their needs and that he would listen and solve their problems. And so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel with his lies and false promises. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord search the heart” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

Most of the people of Israel believed what Absalom had told them and wanted him to be their king. Of course, this led to a revolt against King David. King David had to flee from Jerusalem with his faithful friends, and Absalom took over the place of power. Absalom asked advice of his friends and then set out to lead an army against King David, his father.

But Absalom’s army did not have the Lord with them. They were scattered all over the country and many of them were lost in the woods. Riding on a mule, Absalom himself rode under a big oak tree where his head got caught in the thick branches. The mule he was riding kept right on going and left him caught in the tree. There he hung, between heaven and earth, and the Lord was not with him. An officer in King David’s army came and put him to death with three spears through his heart.

Is this the end of Absalom’s story? Yes, as far as his time on earth goes, but he still has eternity to face. He did not want God while he was here, and he will spend eternity without Him. It will be an eternity without light or love or happiness.

Is there any hope for a thief to go to heaven? Read on.

Perhaps you have heard of another thief who hung between heaven and earth. He hung on a cross beside the Lord Jesus, and he died there when his legs were broken. This thief wanted to be with the Lord Jesus, and he got more and better than he asked for. He is with Jesus right now in heaven, because Jesus forgave his sins, including stealing, and he will be in that happy place forever.

Absalom did not keep his promises, but God always keeps His, whether they are for blessing or for punishment. Whose promises are you trusting, right now?

MEMORY VERSE: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord search the heart.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

ML-07/23/2017

The Biggest Truck in the World

One day while traveling through the mountains of British Columbia, Canada, we saw something that made us pull off the road in a hurry! There, parked below the highway, was a huge, green, dump truck—the largest we had ever seen!

It was amazing to get up close to this big, big truck. We grown-ups were only half as tall as the wheels! We decided it would take a ladder to get up to the cab.

A sign stated that this truck was used in the mines nearby, probably to haul loads of ore to be processed. The sign also stated that this was the largest truck in the world! It was fun to have seen this interesting sight.

We were reminded of the popular books of world records that our children like to look at. In these you can read about the world’s largest airport, the office building with the most floors, and many other “greatest” things. We also found this huge truck listed in the record book.

We need to turn to another book to read about the greatest LOVE in the world. In the Bible we read: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man [Christ Jesus] lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13). Tremendous love! We also are told that “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Who would not want to experience such great love? You won’t find it anywhere else! Come to the Lord Jesus today and you will “know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).

Here is a wonderful Bible verse which I saw hanging on the wall in a friend’s home:

For God—the greatest Person,

So loved—the greatest love,

The world—the greatest company,

That He gave—the greatest act,

His only begotten Son—the greatest gift,

That whosoever—the greatest invitation,

Believeth in Him—the greatest simplicity,

Should not perish—the greatest deliverance,

But have everlasting life—the greatest possession.

Not everyone can see the biggest truck in the world, but everyone can experience the greatest love in the world. Have you?

ML-07/23/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sun-Loving Sunflowers

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

The sunflower is a tall North American plant that is part of the daisy family. It has a large, sun-like flower head with surrounding “sun rays” of bright-yellow petals. It’s interesting that the flower head follows the sun. During a part of its life, the flower head turns and faces east in the morning as the sun rises and then turns, following the sun until it sets in the west in the evening. Then it turns east the next morning to begin again.

Sunflowers grow in many places in the world, but most are grown 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.

A sunflower grows rapidly, and it doesn’t take long for a flower to appear on the top of its 6- to10-ft.-high stalk with its 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 harvesting, 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 and salad oil and margarine from them. After removing the shells, 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 food stores.

The other type of sunflower is called “non-oil.” 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, sprinkled over salads or added to cookies and other bakery goods. Moms sometimes put a handful of shelled sunflower seeds in packed lunches for a snack. No doubt most of you already know how good they taste.

One problem farmers have with both kinds of sunflowers is that the seeds are a favorite food of many kinds of birds. To protect their crops, sometimes scarecrows are placed among the plants; some also make scary noises to keep them away. But this remains a real problem, for it is hard to fool the birds. Some people fill their bird feeders with sunflower seeds during the winter, attracting many different kinds of birds.

The way 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 can always remember that His love is shining on them. Can you say that?

ML-07/23/2017

A Squirrel in the House

The phone rang, and when I picked it up an urgent young voice on the other end said, “Grampa, there’s a squirrel in our house, and Janie and I are here alone! Mom and Dad are out shopping!”

“Are you sure it’s in the house?” I asked.

“Yes! We saw it coming down the stairs, and when it saw us, it ran back up the stairs!” explained Ellen.

“Well, shut yourselves in a room, and I’ll come right out,” I reassured her.

I drove the eight miles out to my son’s house, and when I got there I was greeted by two wide-eyed girls—Ellen and her younger sister Janie. So we three began our search, going from room to room. We started in the bedrooms and ended in the basement, but there was no squirrel to be found. If there really was a squirrel in the house, it was well hidden.

You know, boys and girls, we have a hidden enemy whose name is Satan. He is a liar and tempter, and he never stops trying to lead us into sin. Jesus, the Son of God, came down from His Father’s side in heaven and became a man to conquer Satan. Jesus had to die and then rise from the dead in order to conquer him. Hebrews 2:14 tells us “that through death He [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Jesus was willing to come to earth for this purpose, because He loves you and wants to free you from being Satan’s captive.

And because I loved my granddaughters and they were frightened, I stayed with them until their parents came home. We told them about the “phantom” squirrel.

Later that evening, relatives, including young cousins, arrived for a birthday party. When someone closed the drapes in one of the bedrooms, the “phantom” squirrel suddenly jumped down from its hiding place behind the drapes. What a wild commotion erupted! The children screamed, the parents shouted, and the squirrel raced down the stairs! Around and around the living room, dining room and kitchen the squirrel raced, with the men right behind it. It even ran across the table, just missing the birthday cake!

Finally, my son dropped a laundry basket upside down over the squirrel and scooted the basket out the door and set the squirrel free. How frightened that little animal must have been as it frantically ran away from those who were trying to capture it. The squirrel did not know that those chasing it only wanted to give it freedom.

God is a God of love, and He sent His Son Jesus down here into this world to go to Calvary’s cross where He suffered and died for us. He rose from the grave, conquering Satan, which opens the way for each one who will trust Jesus to be set free from being Satan’s captive. Jesus said in John 8:32, “[You] shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

That squirrel ran away from all efforts to save him, and many of us don’t realize we are captives to sin and Satan and on the road to a lost eternity. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Many of us are still running away from God’s efforts to save us from sin and Satan.

Today, Jesus Christ is holding open His arms of love and saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor [are captive in your sins] and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Won’t you receive Jesus as your Savior today and be forever free from your sins?

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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

ML-07/30/2017

Where Is Wuggins?

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

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

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

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

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

He also tells us, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

The Lord Jesus loves us and wants us to come to Him and be saved. All we need to do is believe on Him. Jesus died for His sheep. Why did He do that? Because we are lost sheep and need to be found. The Bible says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity [sin] of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Ask the Lord Jesus to be your Savior, and He will pick you up in His strong arms and carry you to heaven, just like the children carried Wuggins home.

ML-07/30/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Melodious Frog

“He [looks] to the ends of the earth, and [sees] under the whole heaven.” Job 28:24

Most people who live in the city have never had the pleasure of listening to frogs sing. During warm spring and summer nights, their chorus is delightful to hear.

Most frogs spend their lives in or near water, but some are land residents. These must seek out damp places to live, because their skin requires constant moisture. They have special glands which help keep their skin moist by supplying a coating which slows moisture evaporation. This makes their skin seem cold and wet to the touch.

Frogs have no ears, and their protruding eyes are only attracted to moving objects. However, they have sensitive organs that transmit sound, and they also have a good sense of smell. All frogs are excellent swimmers.

In parts of Africa, frogs disappear when their ponds dry up; they bury themselves in the bottom of the pond. They can exist like this for months. Then when torrential rains come and the ponds fill again, they come out of hiding. Seeing frogs after a rainstorm, superstitious people mistakenly think they have come from the sky.

The females lay thousands of eggs in the spring, floating them in water in large jelly-like masses. Warmed by the sun, the eggs soon hatch into tadpoles. The fish-like tadpoles do not look like frogs. Their fat, little bodies have long tails but no legs. Nor do they have eyelids or lungs. They remain this way for many weeks, breathing like fish through their four pairs of gills. Eventually hind legs grow—just little “buds” in front of the tail at first, but soon the front legs grow in the same way.

Then eyelids and jaws develop, and the tail gets shorter and shorter as it is absorbed into the body. Finally, when the four legs have developed, the tail is absorbed completely. The gills also disappear and lungs develop, changing it into an air-breathing frog. It announces the change by croaking, a habit it continues for the rest of its life.

Now think about this: Where frogs live in moist vegetation and cannot get to water, the eggs are laid in damp leaves or rotten wood. These do not hatch out as tadpoles but as tiny frogs, with the frog parts fully formed! It is easy to see that the Lord God, the Creator, made this special provision for these particular frogs.

As the opening verse says, the Lord God sees each part of His creation at all times and supplies even frogs and tadpoles with everything they need. King Solomon knew that God is watching over people as well and wrote, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

ML-07/30/2017

Set 9

Kathy and Her Chickens

Kathy lived not too far from the big city, next to a little creek. Her family loved country living and bought a little home with a nice big yard. There was a little woods near the creek, with some very tall evergreen trees and some good climbing trees too. Kathy, her brother and little sister spent many hours climbing and playing in this woods, and Kathy’s chickens liked to scratch in the dead leaves to look for worms.

Let me tell you about the rooster they had that was not one bit friendly! He guarded his hens like no other rooster that Kathy’s grandma had ever known. He was so fierce that even Kathy’s dad told the children they had better stay far away from him. Since they couldn’t gather the eggs because of this unfriendly rooster, Dad had to do it now. He always took a big stick along to defend himself. You almost had to laugh watching this big man being so cautious around this mean rooster that was the “king” of his chickens. Even being booted away didn’t faze him. Eventually, it was not safe for anyone to face that mean rooster. They finally had to put a “MEAN ROOSTER FOR SALE” sign out, and away he went. No one missed him!

They bought another rooster, and he was really good with the chickens. He’d go find something good to eat and call the hens to come and enjoy the treat. Baby chicks were hatched, and what fun the children had watching how the mother hen carefully guarded her family. If there was a big bird circling the property, mother hen would call her little chicks to hide under her wings until the danger was passed. And they always obeyed.

Summer came and Kathy’s family went camping with their cousins. What fun they had. Grandma was invited along, and since Kathy’s tent was kind of tight, they let Kathy sleep in Grandma’s tent. Grandma loved having her little 5-year-old granddaughter sleeping so close by. One night everything was finally dark and quiet. The fire was done crackling and there were just a few night noises out in the darkness. But what was that quiet whimper? Grandma listened more closely, and yes, it was Kathy crying very quietly. Grandma asked, “Why are you crying, Kathy?” The answer came—”I’m afraid for my chickens.”

Grandma and Kathy talked about those chickens at home. Yes, there were animals out there that would like a chicken dinner. But there were too many miles to travel to go check on their safety. Grandma explained to Kathy that the Lord Jesus never sleeps, and He does look at things on earth. Grandma suggested that she and Kathy pray and ask the Lord Jesus to protect those dear pets. In simple faith, Grandma and Kathy prayed, asking the Lord Jesus for safety for the chickens. Immediately, Kathy turned over her fear to the Lord Jesus and went sound asleep.

Children, everyone has times of having problems and fears. What a comfort to be able to bring our problems and fears to the Lord Jesus, just like Kathy did. The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). If you don’t know Jesus as your loving Savior, just tell Him that you know you are a sinner, and you want to belong to Him. He has promised not to turn you away. The Bible plainly says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Everyone wants to be loved, and everyone needs to be loved, and Jesus wants to be loved too—by YOU! Then you can sleep soundly when you give your problems to Him, just like Kathy did.

MEMORY VERSE: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

ML-08/06/2017

From Darkness to Light

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

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

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

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

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

ML-08/06/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Some Unusual Frogs

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

There are thousands of kinds of frogs. The tiniest one, a tree-dweller, is less than half an inch long. The largest frog in the world is the giant frog of Queensland, Australia, which is almost 12 inches long. It is so huge that it can swallow a rat! The largest frog in North America is the bull frog, which is more than 6 inches long. It can stay underwater a long time by absorbing oxygen from the water through its skin.

Tree frogs have suction cups on their toes which are moistened with a sticky substance. One kind of tree frog in the tropics is so well camouflaged that it is almost impossible to distinguish it from the leaves. It lives in the tops of tall trees and never comes to the ground. These frogs are clever builders! They cement leaves together to collect pools of rainwater in which they lay their eggs.

The four-inch, green Bornean flying frog has skin between its toes that stretches out, enabling it to make long, parachute-like leaps.

Most frogs dig with their front feet, but the European spadefoot digs with specially designed back feet. If in danger, it will quickly disappear backwards into a hole it has dug.

The female pouched tree frog has pouches on her back. She lays about a dozen eggs at a time. The male picks up these eggs with his hind feet and places them in these pouches, where they remain until they hatch as tadpoles.

In another species, the male takes on the responsibility of hatching the eggs. As the eggs are laid by the female, he swallows them. The eggs pass into a special pouch in his throat. They incubate there until they hatch and swim out of the father’s mouth.

The male midwife frog takes care of eggs in another way. He takes the eggs from the female, wraps them around his hind legs, then scoops a hole in the mud where he waits while they incubate. After a few weeks, he jumps into the water with the eggs still wrapped around his legs. The force of the water breaks open the eggs, and the tadpoles swim out.

The Lord was pleased to create such an interesting variety of frogs, and we know He takes care of them day by day. But for men, women, boys and girls who know Him as their Savior, His care is even greater. It was shown in the great love that led Him to die on Calvary to save them from their sins. He tells them, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).

Have you put your trust in Him? and do you now ask Him to be your guide through life?

ML-08/06/2017

Katie's Bad Temper

Katie, Tonia and Breeann were playing with their new beach balls in Katie’s yard. Katie’s ball was yellow, Tonia’s was blue, and Breeann’s was red. They tossed them and chased them and chased each other. It was lots of fun.

Suddenly Katie noticed her ball had disappeared. The girls searched in bushes and behind trees, but no yellow ball could be found. Soon it was time for Katie’s friends to go. Tonia took her ball and went home. Breeann went home, too, but forgot to take her red ball with her.

Katie went in and asked Mother if she could get a new ball since hers was lost. Mother said, “No, you play with the red one for now.”

Katie was angry. She wanted a yellow ball to play with, not a red one. Besides, the red one was Breeann’s, and Katie did not feel very friendly toward Breeann right now.

Then Katie did something very wrong. She went outside, picked up the red ball and bit a hole in it—on purpose! It went flat. As soon as she did it, she knew it was wrong—it was her temper again. Now she really felt unhappy! As she thought about what she had done, a Bible verse she had memorized for Sunday school came to her mind. “Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 19:19). Katie had not done either of these things. Her anger at not getting another yellow ball certainly would not please or honor her parents. And what she had done to Breeann’s ball certainly was not loving her friend. Katie was a Christian, and she also knew that how she was acting and what she had done was sin and did not please the Lord Jesus either.

We all have times when we feel angry because we don’t get our own way. Here is a verse to think about at such times: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (Psalm 37:8).

The next time her mother went to the store, she let Katie buy a new ball. Katie chose a blue one this time. The yellow and red ones made her conscience bother her.

A few days later something yellow at the end of the driveway caught her eye—her yellow ball! But then Katie felt bad again when she remembered what she had done to Breeann’s ball. Her conscience was still bothering her because she had not confessed to anyone what she had done.

The next time Katie saw Breeann, she knew what she should do. She told Breeann how she had ruined her ball, then asked her if she would like to have the new blue ball. Breeann said, “Yes.”

But that only took care of part of her problem. Katie still did not feel very good about her temper. Finally she told her mother what she had done, and then she confessed it to the Lord Jesus too. Now Katie’s conscience was clear, and she felt happy again.

Have you ever confessed to the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner? Would you like to have all your sins forgiven and have a clear conscience? The Bible tells us this is possible: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). The Lord Jesus loves you enough that He died for you. Won’t you let Him forgive you?

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

ML-08/13/2017

Learning to Read

Larry is six years old, and he is learning to read. When I was visiting him, I saw a grocery ad on his table. “Larry, look here—I think you can learn some of these words.” I pointed to a word that had a picture beside it, and he told me the word was “bananas.” He was right! The picture helped him understand what the letters said. He also learned “tomatoes” and “grapefruit” when I pointed to them. Then I saw another word that he could learn, and I told him that word was “Texas,” but there was no picture with it.

This short reading lesson reminded me that God has filled His Word, the Bible, with word pictures. The Lord Jesus used many of them when He was here to help us understand who He is. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. This means that He has always been the Son of God and He always will be. When He came down from heaven to live on the earth, He became a man, even though He was still God. He knew this would be very hard for us to understand, so He gave us lots of word pictures to help us. He loves boys and girls and grown-ups too, so He wants us to know Him.

Do you know what bread is and what it is for? Of course you do! It’s something to eat when we are hungry. The Lord Jesus tells us in John 6:41 and 50, “I am the bread which came down from heaven” that “a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

Do you know what light does? Of course you do! It helps us to see. In John 8:12, 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.”

Do you know what a door is? Jesus says in John 10:9, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”

The Lord Jesus uses these everyday things which we all understand to help us learn about Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him, so He tells us these things about Himself.

The pictures helped Larry understand what the letters say. But when it came to the word “Texas” that didn’t have a picture, Larry had to trust me when I told him that “t-e-x-a-s” spelled Texas. You and I can understand more about the Lord Jesus by the word pictures He has given us. And this helps us to also trust and believe Him when He tells us that He wants to save us from our sins and then live with Him in heaven once our life here on earth is over.

MEMORY VERSE: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

ML-08/13/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Fierce Tigers - Part 1

“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 all look much alike, there are differences in their stripe markings. The Bengal and heavily furred Siberian tigers (the two kinds 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 and long white-tipped tails. But a close-up look at their faces, with glaring eyes and open mouths with sharp fangs, makes them rather scary, especially if a rasping snarl comes out! They are not friendly with other tigers, unless it’s a member of their own family.

It is easy to see that they are 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 are extended as sharp weapons when fighting or capturing an animal.

Tigers are well camouflaged by the stripes on their coats when in a forest, swampy area or desert that has tall, dry grass. By instinct they take advantage of this when hunting. For example, 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 soundlessly, it creeps closer.

If nothing betrays the tiger’s presence, it will continue its silent approach until close enough to attack. Then suddenly, darting out of its hiding place, it leaps on the victim and, with a bite of its powerful jaws, quickly ends its victim’s life. Then it might call its mate to join in the feast. They may take two or three days to eat a large animal. Their stomachs will then be so full that they won’t be interested in hunting for 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 often directs them to a weak 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, since tigers never torture their prey—they kill it quickly. We will consider this more in next week’s issue. Meanwhile, think about the Bible verse that tells us: “[God looks] to the ends of the earth and [sees] under the whole heaven [sky]” (Job 28:24). He looks on you with love and kindness.

(to be continued)

ML-08/13/2017

A Boy's Lunch Feeds Thousands

There was a great crowd—thousands of people, and they were hungry. Most of us don’t know very much about being hungry. We wish we could help those who are, but we don’t know what to do.

The Lord Jesus looked up and saw the great crowd. They had followed Him because they saw how wonderfully He had healed sick people, and they wanted a share of His miracles. There were a few disciples close to Him who were there because they loved Him and had answered His call to follow Him. One of these was Philip.

In the heart of Jesus there is perfect wisdom, love and power. He wanted Philip (and you and me too) to know this, so He asked a test question: “[Where] shall we buy bread, that these [people] may eat?”

Philip’s idea was to buy bread, but it would cost a lot of money—probably what he would earn for working 200 days! But this would give everyone only a little. This was the best idea he could think of.

When you have a problem, do you offer God the best idea you can think of to solve it? Like Philip’s, your own plan is so tiny that it is no good at all. Have you stopped to think that you are speaking to the same Jesus who has perfect wisdom, love and power? Answer His test question by telling Him you don’t know the answer, but you are sure He does. Philip didn’t have the right answer. He could have said, “Show us, Lord.” When you don’t have the answer, trust Him and say, “Show me, Lord.”

There was another disciple there—a quiet man named Andrew. He spoke up and said to Jesus, “There is a [boy] here [who has] five barley loaves, and two small fishes.” He seemed almost ashamed of such a suggestion, so he added, “But what are they among so many?” Maybe that was not a good question, but he was asking the right Person. Give the problem to Jesus, and give Him what you have. See what His hands will do!

We don’t hear any more about the boy, but we know that he was willing to give to Jesus not just part of his lunch, but all of it. Can you imagine how thrilled he was when he saw what Jesus did with it and had a share of that miracle supper himself!

The Bible doesn’t tell us what the boy’s name was, but it is enough that Jesus knows. Is there a boy here today willing to give to Jesus something that he could use for himself if he kept it?

Then Jesus said, “Make the men sit down.” There was plenty of grass to sit on, and Mark tells us that they were seated in groups of 50, men, women, and children, probably at least 10,000 in all. With such a tiny supply of food on hand, Jesus’ disciples really must have been trusting Him when they seated the hungry crowds for supper.

Then Jesus thanked God His Father for the food. And He divided the bread and fish so that Philip and the other disciples could pass it to the eager hands stretched out for supper.

Do you stop to thank God for your food before you eat? Every bite comes from God, and if you are hungry, you are ready to eat it all. But do you sometimes grumble a bit if it’s not your favorite? “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

But where is Jesus now? Why is He not here to feed the hungry today? Because He was unwanted. The crowds shouted, “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” And He is gone. But He is risen from the dead and is living now in heaven, with the same wisdom, love and power that filled His heart when He was here. He is ready to forgive you—ready to make you His own. He loves you and died for you. Will you come to Him right now?

Jesus told His disciples to gather up the leftovers after everyone had eaten. They found that they had 12 baskets full of food. What did they do with it? Don’t worry. He does not explain to us His full supply for our needs. But if Jesus is your Savior, you will never come to the last crumb of His wisdom, love and power. Your basket will always be full.

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

MEMORY VERSE: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

ML-08/20/2017

Ten Little Candles

Ten little candles, Jesus bade them

shine;

Selfishness snuffed one right out,

then there were nine.

Nine little candles, one without a

mate;

Bad companions came along, then

there were eight.

Eight little candles, doing work for

heaven;

Laziness came over one, then there

were seven.

Seven little candles, every one

alive;

Two got tired of trying hard, then

there were five.

Five little candles, once there were

far more;

One forgot to read God’s Word,

then there were four.

Four little candles, bright as bright

could be;

One didn’t have the time, then

there were three.

Three little candles: Was one of

them you?

One gave up Sunday school, then

there were two.

Two little candles: Tale is almost

done;

“I’m too small, no use,” sighed one,

then there was one.

One little candle, left all alone,

kept on burning by itself;

Oh, how bright it shone!

Brave and steady burned its light,

till the other nine,

Fired by its example, once again

began to shine.

ML-08/20/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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 looked at some similarities between tigers and house cats. Here is one difference—while our pet cats don’t like getting even a paw in water, tigers love to play in water or even 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, the cubs don’t lose any time finding their mother’s milk, just as kittens do. They nurse until they are large enough to eat meat, which the mother teaches them to catch for themselves. The male ignores 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 other tigers 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 other tigers have it. Instead, it covers the carcass with rocks or branches to hide it for later.

We mentioned that the two largest tigers are 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. It has black 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 example, sometimes have white fur all over, ringed with the usual black stripes. But they do not live separate from the others that have the orange and black coloring.

Although fierce hunters, tigers live peaceably with hippos, rhinos and elephants. They seem to know that, in spite of sharp claws and strong teeth, they would be no match for those huge beasts. 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 seem to mind this and at times even seem to be posing 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 now know the Lord Jesus as their Savior will be in a far more beautiful and happy place—heaven itself. Will you be there?

ML-08/20/2017

Hungry Turkeys

Dear Children,

Today Gramma and I were eating our lunch together. She was looking out the window that is right beside our table. When we look out that window, we can see across our creek and see the forest which is on the other side of the creek.

All of a sudden she exclaimed, “Look at that!” So I looked out the window and said, “WOW!” I jumped up and ran to get our camera!

Are you one of the children who is wondering, “What did you see, Grampa?”

We saw eight, big, wild turkeys walking across our backyard! They were looking for food in the area where we feed the birds. Then two of them started up the hill towards our house where we have another bird feeder. There is lots of cracked corn on the ground there, and most of the birds fly to this spot. But only one of the turkeys walked all the way up the hill to eat the cracked corn on the ground. This big bird was hungry and, if birds can be happy, this big turkey sure had to be happy to find the cracked corn on the ground where he could eat all he wanted!

When I spread the cracked corn out there for these birds to eat, the food is there for any of the birds—big or small, red birds, yellow birds, blue birds, black birds or white birds. It doesn’t matter what size or color they are. The food is there for any bird to eat that is hungry!

Some of you boys and girls may remember the song we sometimes sing in Sunday school:

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

When God our Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners like you and me, it was for “WHOSOEVER”—for anybody and everybody! And that includes you! Have you let the Lord Jesus save you?

There were eight turkeys, but only one came to where the cracked corn was on the ground. When this turkey was finished eating, he walked away full!

“What about the other seven turkeys, Grampa? Did they come up to eat?”

No, children, they did not! They were the losers. I think they were afraid to come up near the house. Boys and girls, don’t ever be afraid to read the Bible. It is the holy Word of God! Here is a very good verse for you to read and memorize: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

All those turkeys walked away together, but only one was full of good food. There was only one winner, but there could have been more.

Do you think that Gramma and I will ever see those turkeys again? We don’t know! But one thing we do every day is put out lots of food for the birds. Then it’s up to them to come and enjoy it.

And in the Bible you can read that the Lord Jesus loves you very much and died to save you from your sins. But it’s up to each boy or girl or grown-up to come to the Lord Jesus to have their sins taken away. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden [with sins], and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Will you accept the gift of salvation that the Lord Jesus is offering you and be a winner?

With lots of love,

Grampa and Gramma

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

ML-08/27/2017

A Close Call

Some of the mountains in the beautiful Allegheny range are so steep that they seem almost to crowd against each other. It would have been an endless job to tunnel through them, so when the engineers built the highways, instead of using tunnels, they built bridges that cross from one peak to the next, spanning the green valleys and blue rivers below. On a clear day, the view is spectacular! It was just such a day when Allan, his wife Martha and cousin Ron were driving from Eagle Rock, Virginia, to visit their family in Anjean, West Virginia.

They had such a happy visit that it seemed no time until their vacation was over, and they had to go home and back to work. But the day they left for home was not pleasant. Rain was pouring down out of heavy clouds and making little rivers on the highway. They wound their way up the mountain to the series of high, long bridges they would have to cross before they arrived back at Eagle Rock.

Crossing one bridge, they noticed the valley below was so deep they couldn’t see the tops of the trees. It was scary driving on the slippery bridge.

Suddenly, Allan lost control of the car! Each of their hearts cried out to the Lord for safe keeping as they skidded toward the guardrail! Each had horrible thoughts of plunging over the edge and hurtling 1900 feet to certain death below. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). Martha said later that it seemed as though the Lord reached down and put His hand right on their car, stopping it within one inch of the guardrail!

King David told of an even greater deliverance when he said, “Great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee” (Psalm 86:13,5). Often one or another of us needs to be saved from danger, but EVERY ONE of us needs to be saved from our sins, or we’ll be plunged into a pit far deeper than that Allegheny valley! That pit is called hell. DON’T LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU! Call upon the Lord Jesus for salvation. He loves you and died for you, and He promises, “Him that cometh to Me I will in [no way] cast out” (John 6:37).

ML-08/27/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Berries for Birds and Beasts

“Blessed is the man that [trusts] in the Lord . . . for he shall be as a tree . . . yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Dogs, cats, birds, fish or whatever kind of pet you may have do not need to worry about getting enough food at the right time, because you make sure they get fed. But wild creatures must find their own food. However, the Creator does not neglect them, and this is particularly shown in the fall months when many birds are getting ready for their migrations. They could not make these flights without first building up their bodies with large quantities of food to provide the needed “fuel” for the long journeys ahead of them.

And that is, no doubt, one reason why the Creator has designed so many bushes and trees with abundant tasty and nourishing berries ripening in the late summer. Let’s take a look at some of these and the creatures that enjoy eating them.

In states along the Mississippi River, a bush called pokeweed produces clusters of deep purple, juicy berries late in the summer. Because of the dark juice, it is sometimes called the inkberry bush. This is a favorite, not only with birds, but with some small animals as well.

A similar bush in Ontario produces quantities of red, purple or black chokeberries—also a favorite treat for squirrels and other small animals, as well as numerous birds. And in Florida mockingbirds, which are great fruit eaters, eagerly eat the bright red berries growing in clusters on holly bushes that are at their peak in the fall months.

The juniper is an evergreen shrub that grows throughout the Northern Hemisphere in countries with a cold climate. It produces berries that range in color from blue to red. Robins especially will strip a bush of all its berries in a matter of days.

In some areas of the northeastern United States, wild cranberry bushes are favorites of birds, mice and other animals. Deep snow helps the mice and other small animals reach the tasty deep-pink fruit on taller bushes. In the same area there are another 100 different kinds of bushes and trees that produce tasty berries and wild fruits all through the winter months. These are favorites not only with birds, but also with all kinds of animals—from the tiny field mouse to big bears.

These are just a few examples of a vast number of plants, bushes and trees arranged by the Creator to provide the necessary nourishing food for His creatures during fall and winter months.

The psalmist, a faithful observer of God’s goodness, expressed it so well in Psalm 107:8-9 when he declared, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He [satisfies] the longing soul, and [fills] the hungry soul with goodness.”

Have you thanked Him for His goodness to you?

ML-08/27/2017

Set 10

Chico's Witness

“Shine, mister?” beamed Chico as he stopped in front of the businessman with scuffy-looking shoes who was busy reading a newspaper. The cabin of the Staten Island ferry was crowded this cold morning. It was early November, and a sharp wind kept most of the rush-hour passengers from strolling on the open decks during the 20-minute ride to downtown New York.

“Why not?” answered the businessman. He placed his right shoe on Chico’s shoeshine box and went back to reading his paper. Chico worked quickly and whistled a happy tune as his brush and rag kept time to the music. “What are you so happy about?” grumbled the businessman.

Chico flashed a big, toothy smile and tapped the businessman’s left shoe to indicate he was ready to work on the other shoe. While the businessman changed shoes on the shine box, Chico prayed for courage to speak a word for his Savior.

“Mister, you’d be happy too if you knew Jesus as your Savior. A few months ago I was headed for big trouble! I was running around with a gang of guys who were stealin’ and fightin’ most of the time. My mom was at work all day, my dad’s in jail, and my grandma’s almost blind, so I came and went as I pleased.

“One day some of us went into a store-front meeting to make trouble. We started cursing as loud as we could, but the preacher just asked everyone to sing a hymn, ‘Christ is the Savior of Sinners.’ As they sang, the other guys all left. Somehow I felt glued to my seat. Everytime they sang the chorus, ‘Savior of sinners, Savior of sinners like me, shedding His blood for my ransom, this is the Savior for me,’ I knew deep down I wanted to know more about this Savior. I sat through the whole meeting, and at the end I just sat there with my head down, wishing for all the world I could say I had such a Savior. I guess the preacher saw me, because he came down and put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if I wanted to have peace and joy and know for sure that my sins were forgiven. I said, ‘Yes, sir, you bet I do!’ “Well, mister,” Chico continued as he put the finishing touches to the second shoe, “that preacher explained it all to me, and I got down on my knees and accepted Jesus as my Savior . . . and I’ve had a heart full of joy and peace ever since then! My old gang thinks I’m nuts, but they sure know something has happened to me! And it can happen to you, too, mister, if you’ll accept Jesus as your Savior.

“That’ll be four dollars,” he said, tapping the businessman’s shoe to indicate the shine was finished.

“Here, keep the change,” said the businessman, handing Chico a five-dollar bill. He tucked his paper under his arm, picked up his briefcase and headed out to the windswept deck as Chico moved to his next customer.

Do you know Chico’s Savior? “The Son of man [Jesus] came . . . to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

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

ML-09/03/2017

Birds of the Bible

Write in the names of the birds from these verses, if you can. If you don’t know some of them, you may look up the Bible references to complete each verse.

“How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a __________ gathereth her __________ under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37)

“I am like a __________ of the wilderness: I am like an __________ of the desert. I watch, and am as a __________ alone upon the housetop.” (Psalm 102:6-7)

“And the __________ came in to him [Noah] in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf.” (Genesis 8:11)

“Who provideth for the __________ his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.” (Job 38:41)

“Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the __________? Or wings and feathers unto the __________? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.” (Job 39:13-15)

“As an __________ stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him.” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12)

“The __________ and the __________ and the __________ observe the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the Lord.” (Jeremiah 8:7)

“As for the __________, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalm 104:17)

“There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the __________ eye hath not seen.” (Job 28:7)

“As the __________ sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days.” (Jeremiah 17:11)

ML-09/03/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: An Alarm Clock in the Ocean?

“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters . . . . The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” Psalm 29:3-4

Unusually high tides reach Southern California beaches from March through July each year. When these extreme tides are due in the third or fourth night of the full moon, schools of grunion, a small edible fish, swim into the surf and allow themselves to be washed ashore on a sandy beach—but not until the highest wave of the incoming tide has passed.

Ashore on the bare sand, females scoop out shallow holes with their tails where they lay hundreds of eggs. The males follow quickly and fertilize the eggs, and then the females give a final swish of their tails to cover the eggs with sand. This all has been accomplished within thirty seconds! Then they all wriggle down the beach to be swept into the ocean by the next wave.

But how about the eggs? How can they hatch in such a hastily made and strange nest? The grunion have been well directed by their Creator in their timing, for no wave will reach the eggs until the next extremely high tide in another two weeks. This amount of time in warm, moist sand provides ample incubation. When a high wave finally reaches them, the eggs pop open, and the little fish are washed into the sea to begin their lives.

This annual event is so reliable that the hour and minute can be foretold. People flock to the beaches to witness it, some of them catching the fish in their hands.

Is there an alarm clock that tells the grunion just the precise moment to ride in on the highest wave? And how do they know where the sandy beaches are? If any mistakenly went to a rocky one, they would be pounded to pieces. Their instructions come from their Creator, and there is no possibility that this pattern will change. How carefully God watches over all His creatures.

After sin came into the world, all things were affected, so that today we do not see anything in perfection, but we do see something of His might and wisdom even in lowly creatures like the grunion. A time is coming when all will be made right again: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17). But before that takes place, there must be God’s judgment on this sinful world and all in it who have not had their sins forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity” (Titus 2:14). How important it is to listen to the warning: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

ML-09/03/2017

The Cat Did It

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

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

“No!” answered his mother firmly. “This is for dessert tonight. The Harringtons are coming for dinner, and this cake must not be touched till then. Here’s the icing spreader and bowl you can lick if you want.”

Tom soon had the spreader and bowl licked clean. It tasted so good! His mother put the cake on the cupboard shelf and closed the door.

She said to Tom, “I have to go to the store for some things. You go out and play, and remember, that cake is not to be touched until dinnertime.”

Tom went outside and soon forgot about the cake as he played street hockey with his friends. After a while a couple of the boys were called home, and the game broke up.

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

Boy, it looks good, thought Tom. He kept looking at it and telling himself that Mom had said he shouldn’t touch it. But he really wanted a piece—chocolate was his favorite.

If I just snitch a little icing off the side near the bottom, nobody will know the difference, he thought. If I use a spoon it won’t hurt the cake.

He reached in the drawer for a spoon and took a spoonful of icing with just a little cake. It was so good that he just had to take one more. Then he heard a car door slam. Mom’s home! Now what do I do?

Just then Tammy, their cat, walked into the kitchen. She had often been caught up on the counter in the kitchen and sometimes even on the table helping herself to food. Tom thought quickly. By the time his mother had the key in the front door, he had closed all the doors into the kitchen and was in his own room. Tammy was in the kitchen and could not get out. His mother would find her there.

Sometime later when his mother called him for dinner, Tom came running at once, making his best attempt to whistle. He stole a quick glance at his mother to see if she looked mad. She didn’t, and he wondered if she had noticed the little piece out of the cake. He went to wash his hands without even being told.

But before long his mother called him to come to the kitchen. “Tom,” she said in a stern voice, “you have disobeyed me! I told you not to touch that cake. I let you lick the bowl, and then you turned around and did what I told you not to do!”

“Me, Mom?” questioned Tom. “I’ve been out playing hockey . . . it must have been Tammy.” His mother reached into the sink and picked up the spoon that still had some icing on it. “Tom,” she said sternly, “cats don’t use spoons!”

Tom’s face got red and his eyes dropped. He couldn’t look at his mother. That Bible verse flashed into his mind—”Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). The spoon proved that he was guilty. And Tom had to admit that he did wrong before he could be forgiven.

When we do wrong, as Tom did, it is not just our parents or friends whom we hurt. We sin against God. God tells us in the Bible that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But God in His great love for sinners sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross and bear the punishment for the sins of every sinner who will come to Him for forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [sin]” (1 John 1:9). If you will admit to the Lord Jesus that you are a guilty sinner, He will forgive you right now.

MEMORY VERSE: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

ML-09/10/2017

Rich in Heaven or Poor in Hell

There were two men who knew each other:

One was rich, the other a beggar;

The rich wore clothes of pretty purple;

The poor beggar wore torn dirty rags.

The man of wealth feasted on good food,

The hungry beggar on a crumb chewed;

Brothers and friends partied with the rich;

The beggar’s friends were dogs from a ditch.

The man with money, healthy and strong;

The other, sick and sore, all day long;

So it was that both men’s lives ended:

Now, where do you think their souls landed?

Poor Lazarus home to heaven went,

Not because he was poor, but God sent

His dear Son, Jesus, to die for sins;

His precious blood makes us clean within.

The rich one, well, I’m sorry to tell,

His money could not save him from hell;

On earth he showed he didn’t believe;

He’s there now forever! He can’t leave.

But, you and I are still free to choose:

Accept Jesus as Lord—you can’t lose!

He’s calling your name with loving voice;

Hell is an endless, very sad choice.

ML-09/10/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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. These are among those with the longest legs in the world. The Creator gave them these long legs for wading in marshes and swamps and along ocean shores while searching for insects, small fish and other underwater food. These birds often nest near each other and get along quite well.

They do have some differences. An avocet has three partly webbed toes and a smaller unwebbed toe behind each foot, whereas a stilt’s foot has only three unwebbed toes. Also, the stilt’s 18-inch-long narrow beak is straight, and the avocet’s curves upward.

An avocet’s body is black and white on top and solid white underneath, with a tan head and neck. 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 wide-spread. This seems to impress her, and when he comes ashore they build a nest. The male stilt does much the same but adds another feature to his display. He playfully sprays the female with water thrown by his strong wings. Apparently impressed, when he comes ashore they will build a nest together.

The nests of these two related birds are very similar and are always 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, with the pale-yellow eggs of the stilts having speckled dark marks, and the olive-colored eggs of the avocets having scattered brown and black spots.

It is interesting to see several of these birds, each standing on just one leg with the other leg drawn up and completely hidden under its wing feathers. You would think a puff of wind would blow them over or at least cause them to 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, just as He watches over us night and day.

ML-09/10/2017

Come and See

When you hear someone say, “Come and see,” do you come? I guess it depends on who says it. If it’s the right person, you probably come. This is a story about the time Jesus said, “Come and see,” and we can be sure He is the right Person!

There were two men standing with John, and it was the same day John saw Jesus walking and exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God!” This was very wonderful, because long ago the words were written, “God will provide Himself a lamb” (Genesis 22:8), and Jesus was God’s Lamb. He didn’t look like it, but He was.

Those two men left John and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following Him and asked them what they were looking for. They answered and asked Jesus where He lived. And Jesus answered them with those wonderful words, “Come and see.”

We don’t know the names of both of those two men who followed Jesus, but you could pretend it was you and your best friend. Would you come? Remember, it’s Jesus who is inviting you. Let me ask again: Would you come?

The two men both came. We don’t know the street or the house, but it doesn’t matter. We know that Jesus was there, and they must have been delighted, for they stayed all the rest of the day.

After that, Jesus invited Philip to “follow Me.” Philip was so delighted that he was off to share the news with his friend Nathanael. He told Nathanael, “We have found Him” and then he explained to Nathanael that this was the same person that God had told them about in the Old Testament. It is “Jesus of Nazareth”!

Nathanael wasn’t so sure. It didn’t seem possible to him that a man from the town of Nazareth could be the “Promised One.” He said to Philip, “Can . . . any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

How are you going to argue with a man like that? Would you tell him that Nazareth is not really so bad after all? What would you say?

Philip gave Nathanael the best answer. He said, “Come and see.” And Nathanael came and saw Jesus, and Nathanael’s heart was truly satisfied as to who this person really was. He exclaimed, “Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:49).

Do you see what happens when you “come and see”? Maybe you have a friend who is inviting you now to “come and see” Jesus—not to see His face, not to see a picture, not to see a big church building, but to come and see Jesus as God shows Him to us in the Bible. If you “come and see,” you will find that He will not disappoint you, and you can learn more about Him and His love for you every day.

“Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that [comes] to Me shall never hunger; and he that [believes] on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “Come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3).

Will you “come and see”?

MEMORY VERSE: “Come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live.” Isaiah 55:3

ML-09/17/2017

Birds in Prison

We live beside a family who is very interested in nature. They have many kinds of trees and different kinds of wildflowers that they enjoy in summer. They also have a bird feeding station that keeps their backyard alive with birds all winter. But if you step inside their house, you will also find two happy little birds just waiting to light on your head or shoulder or finger!

These little birds, Java sparrows, don’t know what it’s like to soar above the treetops. They have never had the freedom to fly for miles. Their tiny eggs were hatched inside a house, and they were fed by human hands. When their eyes opened, they were already familiar with human voices and the sounds of the house. They don’t know any other way of life and are happiest when people are around. They fight each other for the place closest to a person’s face and are constantly trying to “kiss” people’s lips. It takes a little while to get used to having birds suddenly so close.

Although it is an interesting experience to be around birds so tame, it is still rather sad. They are, after all, prisoners. No, they are not in a bird cage, but they do not have the freedom to fly outdoors in the open sky. The house they live in is their prison.

Who could explain to them that life in a house is not what was planned for them? Who could explain to them that God planned for them to enjoy the freedom of a warm climate and to use their wings to fly where they pleased? Only if someone could become a Java sparrow could he tell them so they would understand.

What a picture these little birds are of every member of the human race. We were born into a sinful world, far from God. His plans for us on earth were spoiled when man sinned, and we were, in a way, stolen by Satan. We are in Satan’s prison.

But God wanted us back. He wanted to tell us that this was not what He had planned for us. He wanted to tell us how very much He loved us. But He lives in heaven, and we live on earth. How could He tell us so we would understand?

God found a way. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to become a man here on earth. Jesus would show us how much God loved us. And He did.

But Jesus did even more. God had told Him that He wanted to buy us back, that He wanted to redeem us from our sins. And Jesus offered to pay the price for us. The price was not money. He went to Calvary’s cross and shed His blood to pay the awful price that God required for the sins of every person who would trust in Him to be bought back. “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “Ye are bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Would you like to be delivered from Satan’s prison of sin? All you need to do is believe in your heart that Jesus died on Calvary’s cross for your sins. He promises to redeem you and make you a child of God. Satan can never steal you again. God says, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

ML-09/17/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Unusual Anteaters

“Be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create.” Isaiah 65:18

A very unusual anteater lives in the country of Costa Rica in Central America. It has the name tamandua, or collared anteater, and it feeds on tree termites. It wraps its long tail around the branches so it will not fall out of the tree.

It is prettier than most anteaters, with shaggy white or tan legs and tail and tan fur on its neck and throat, with the rest of the body covered with black fur. Actually it looks like it is dressed in a black sleeveless sweater. The only thing unpleasant about this anteater is that it gives off a bad odor when excited.

One of the most unusual anteaters is known as the spiny anteater and lives in the Australian deserts and New Guinea. It has a long, slender beak and a pouch for carrying its young, like a kangaroo. On occasion it adds to its unusual character by swallowing dirt. It is really a very strange creature in most every way.

It doesn’t give birth to little ones as most animals do, but, like a bird, hatches them from eggs! The single egg is carried in the female’s warm pouch outside her body until it hatches. After the little one hatches, she nurses it with rich milk. Then, within about ten weeks, the little one develops a shiny, silky fur that covers its entire body. It has partially webbed feet with four strong, curved toes. It will soon use these for digging in the ground or tearing apart decaying trunks of trees or other splintered wood to fill its stomach with ants and termites. Of course, by that time it is on its own and no longer fed by the mother’s milk.

A full-grown spiny anteater’s body is only about a foot long, covered with hollow spines over a coat of black fur. The broad front feet are equipped with short nails for digging, and each hind foot has an extra-long nail it uses to comb out its hair. Its face, which is actually a long, round snout, is smooth and equipped with a pair of dark nostrils and ends in a tiny mouth. Its tongue is long and sticky, enabling it to lick out ants and termites from their hidden areas.

These unusually interesting examples of animal life, together with a great variety of related ones in various parts of the world, perform a wonderful service. They destroy termites and ants that are very destructive of valuable timber and wooden constructions.

The more we consider the wonders of God’s creation, the more we should be glad and rejoice, just as the opening Bible verse says. We may be sure He is glad when we do. We can trust the Word of God, the Bible, to tell us the truth about creation: “By Him were all things created” (Colossians 1:16).

ML-09/17/2017

Moose the Fire Chief

In a small town in Ontario, Canada, the chief of the volunteer fire department had a nickname. They called him “Moose.” If you had known Moose or had seen him, you would understand why he was called by this name. He was six and a half feet tall, he had huge shoulders and he was very strong. He was going to need every bit of that strength very soon.

One summer night the alarm rang for a bad fire in a house on the edge of town. Dressing quickly, he drove to the station. Within just a few minutes, the first truck left the station with Moose on board.

It was a big fire. Flames were leaping out of the upstairs’ windows in the large two-story house.

Leaping from the truck, Moose called to a neighbor, “Is there anyone inside?”

“Yes, I think there is!” came the answer. “A family with three children lives there. The father works at night, so the mother and children are probably inside!”

Quickly yelling instructions to the other firemen, Moose smashed open the front door with his axe. Flames were everywhere! His mind raced—Is there anyone inside? Where’s the family?

For men, women, boys and girls, the time to be saved is right now! “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, do you realize the danger you are in? “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If you were to die today, would you be prepared for eternity? No one likes to think about death, but it is real. For those who face death without having the Lord Jesus as their Savior, it will be terrifying! They will have to face God in their sins. But for those who know their sins are gone and all trace of sin is washed away by God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the thought of meeting God does not scare them. Being with their Savior takes away all fear of dying.

How does this happen, you ask? How can I know for sure that I am ready to meet God? The answer is simple—let Him save you! God is offering to save any who are willing to be saved. All you have to do is admit that, as a sinner, you cannot save yourself and believe that Jesus died for you. Don’t turn down God’s offer of free salvation. Just confess to Him that you are a sinner and accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior.

Moose ran up the burning staircase and burst into one bedroom. No one was in there! Then he raced into another bedroom, but no one was in there either! Was the house empty? Flames surrounded him in the hallway. He almost turned back, but then he heard something. He was sure it was a call for help from the other end of the hall. He raced through the flames and found the terrified mother with two children in her arms and her baby still sleeping in the crib.

“Follow me!” Moose ordered as he scooped up the sleeping baby. But the mother did not move—she was frozen with fear!

Moose acted quickly. He picked up the terror-stricken mother, threw her across his shoulders and told her to “hang on!” Then, taking the two older children, one in each arm, he tried to lift the sleeping baby. But there was no way he could hold all of them. Setting one child down, he grasped the clothes of the baby firmly with his teeth, again picked up the child, and started down the burning staircase. Just as he reached the outside door, the staircase collapsed behind him. He had gotten them all out just in time! Because of Moose’s quick-thinking bravery, the mother and her three children were saved from a terrible, fiery death!

This feat of saving this family on Moose’s part is a picture to us of the much greater sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. He died to save poor, helpless sinners from the everlasting torment of the lake of fire. Why? Because He loves us!

This world will soon be destroyed by the awful judgment of God against sin. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He is the only hope of salvation, and He longs to save you. Will you let Him?

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

ML-09/24/2017

An Interesting Trip

Jon was eight years old, and he and his father, mother, sister and brothers were going on a little vacation. They were going to visit Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda who loved these children very much and whom these children loved very much also.

On the trip to their house, which was over 300 miles away, they stopped for other activities to make the trip interesting and fun for the children. They visited a zoo, stayed at a motel where there was a swimming pool and had picnics—all things that children like to do. While they were at their uncle and aunt’s house, they got to do more special things. They had more picnics, went on hikes, took a trip to a museum, and even had a birthday party for one of the children.

When the family got back home from their trip, Jon was telling his grandmother about the trip and all the wonderful things they had done and seen. She listened as he eagerly told her about each activity. Finally she asked, “Jon, what was the very best part of your whole trip?”

Jon thought for a moment and then answered, “The very best part was just enjoying Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda.”

What thoughtful words from a child. While there will be many, many things in heaven for us to enjoy, the very best part about being in heaven is going to be just enjoying Him—our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4). “In My Father’s house are many mansions ... . I go to prepare a place for you ... . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

ML-09/24/2017

Wonders of God's Creation: Your Wonderful Body

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

Your body, and every other human being’s, is more wonderful than the world’s most amazing piece of machinery! It is composed of some sixty trillion cells, making up more than five thousand parts. Furthermore, the Creator has provided it with an intellect far superior to the rest of His earthly creation.

The single cell with which your life began determined what kind of person you would be—tall or short, the color of your eyes, the color of your hair and many more details. By the time you were born, there were some two trillion cells to your body, and as you grew older the number increased to sixty trillion. Various groups of cells are responsible for a particular part of your body, and all groups work together in perfect unity.

Let’s consider your eyes, which are like two cameras working together perfectly, but far superior to the most advanced camera man has made. Healthy eyes can immediately adapt to about ten thousand different focuses, without your even thinking about it. Their pictures come in upside down, but your amazing brain lets you see them right side up.

Your ears can pick out one voice in a crowd or the melody of an entire orchestra. Vibrations they receive send electrical signals to your brain, which immediately identifies the sound and tells you what to do with it.

Your tongue has three thousand taste buds, enriching your life by the enjoyment of food and drink. A sense of smell is important too, warning you against what is harmful.

Your brain has tremendous ability to store information. It is more wonderful than the most advanced computer in the world and is never fully at rest, even during sleep. Your memory is like a huge library, divided into two categories—short-term and long-term. Our Creator designed this to help us along life’s way—not retaining information of little importance, but storing away that of value to be brought to mind when necessary.

Your heart, lungs, digestive system, as well as arms and legs and other parts, are also very important members of your body.

We don’t give much thought to our body parts until they are injured or sickness occurs. However, we should think of what the psalmist wrote in our opening Bible verse. Like him, let us praise and give our thanks to the Lord God who has not only made us, but who invites us to be in heaven with Him when Jesus comes for His own or when our life down here is ended. We may be sure of this if we turn to Him, admitting that we are sinners and accepting Him as our Savior. He promises, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Is He your Savior?

ML-09/24/2017

Set 11

True Stories of Bibles - the Bible in the Wall

Over a hundred years ago, before the St. Gotthard tunnel was built, all travelers who wanted to go from Italy to Switzerland (or the opposite direction) had to walk across the St. Gotthard pass. This took quite a long time.

At that time, people traveled in groups. There was a group of brick and stone workers journeying from near Lugano to central Switzerland because they could earn better wages. Among them was a young man, Antonio, who got into conversation with an older lady who told him about the Lord Jesus. Antonio did not want to hear anything, but said, “We have Mary and the priests. That is enough.”

Then the lady offered him a beautiful, leather-bound Bible as a gift. He took it, but never read it.

At the construction site at Glarus, he was assigned to help build a large house. At work he began swearing and cursing, as did all his buddies. When plastering a wall, he noticed a hole that still had to be bricked up. All of a sudden he thought of the Bible that was in his bag, and he said to his fellow workers, “Chaps, I have an idea. Look at this Bible. I’ll put it into this hole.”

The Bible barely fit in there, and the binding became somewhat damaged. Antonio said, “Look here, put some mortar in front, and now I would like to see whether the devil can get the Bible out of here!” A few weeks later, Antonio went back home across the mountains.

On May 10, 1861, a big fire burned the town of Glarus. A total of 490 buildings were destroyed. The whole town was in ruins, but it was to be rebuilt.

A foreman bricklayer from northern Italy named Johannes got the job of examining a new house which was only partly destroyed. He pounded with his hammer at the still remaining walls, and suddenly a piece of plaster broke off. To his surprise, he found a book which had been jammed into the wall. He took it out—a Bible! How strange! How did it get there?

During his break time, Johannes diligently started reading the Bible. He did not understand many things, but from the Gospels and the Psalms he learned how to pray.

If someone is honest, God will come to his help. It did not take long for Johannes to realize that he was a sinner, but that God loved him and that by faith in the Lord Jesus he could receive forgiveness of sins. In the autumn, when he returned to his home and family, he told everyone the good news of his salvation.

In his spare time, he took a suitcase full of Bibles and canvassed the neighboring villages to spread the gospel message. He also came into the area where Antonio lived. At a fair he put up a stand with Bibles. When Antonio strolled about, he stopped and said, “Oh, Bibles, I don’t need them! If I wanted one, I only have to go to Glarus where I put one into a wall. I would be surprised if the devil could get it out of there.”

Johannes looked solemnly at the young man. Immediately, everything became clear to him, and he said, “Be careful, young man. Don’t scoff. What would you say if I showed you that very Bible?”

“That I don’t believe,” said Antonio. “I would recognize it at once, because I marked it. And I’ll say it again: Even the devil would not get it out of the wall!”

Johannes produced the Bible and asked, “Do you know the mark, my friend?” Antonio was speechless at first when he saw the damaged Bible.

“Do you see it? This is not the work of the devil, but of God. God did it in order to show you that He lives. He also wants to save you.”

Again, Antonio’s old hatred against God showed itself. He was struck in his conscience, but he shouted to his friends, “Come on, boys, what about this guy with his pious Bible stand?”

In a few seconds, Johannes’ Bible stand was pushed over, and he himself was beaten. The vandals disappeared among the gathering crowd. From that time on, Antonio became more hostile towards God.

One day, again drunk at work, he fell from a 56-foot-high scaffold and, severely injured, was rushed to the hospital. When Johannes heard of it, he had flowers sent to him and even visited him. But Antonio’s heart remained hard as a rock, though he was impressed by the kindness Johannes had shown to him.

Johannes visited him every week, and Antonio slowly started reading the Bible. First he read it because he had nothing else to do. But soon his interest was awakened. Once he read in Hebrews 12:5, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord.” Well, that fit his case. Antonio continued reading God’s Word, and it began to reach his heart. He learned to recognize his guilt and to confess it before God. But he also learned to trust in the finished work of the cross. His soul was healed, but his leg remained paralyzed. He was not able to work as a bricklayer anymore, but he found other suitable work. Later he was happily married to Johannes’ daughter. His father-in-law was, at the same time, his best friend.

Antonio is now in heaven. The Bible which he had once put into the wall has been valued by his family members over the years as a great treasure.

———————————

There are other true, remarkable stories of Bibles, which we will print from time to time.

MEMORY VERSE: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

ML-10/01/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Lowly Acorn

“God said, Let the earth bring forth . . . the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself.” Genesis 1:11

In summer the shade of an oak tree is welcome, and in fall its colored leaves are spectacular. But the oak tree has a small beginning.

A tiny flower on an oak tree is pollinated and begins to grow. Within a few months, that tiny flower becomes an acorn, complete with its sporty little cap. A mature oak produces thousands of acorns. Every healthy acorn has the ability to produce all the parts of a new tree. However, only a few ever grow into trees, because there are many hungry creatures ready to eat them. This is just the way God purposed it. He told Adam, “Every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for [food]” (Genesis 1:29).

Almost all acorns are good to eat, but the North American Indians especially liked the white oak acorns. Squirrels and chipmunks also find acorns a chief source of food. Perhaps you have seen these lively animals scampering over a tree, cutting acorns free with their teeth. These fall to the ground and are later picked up and carried to their nests. Squirrels often hide acorns in the ground too, carefully covering them with soil. They, no doubt, intend to collect them later. However, they usually forget some, and so new little oak trees sprout from these forgotten acorns.

Some of God’s other creatures also use acorns. Insects drill through the shell and plant eggs inside. When the eggs hatch, the kernel of the acorn is their food supply. Then there are woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue jays, wild turkeys and other birds that eat them. Pigs and even deer also eat them.

Surely God arranged such an abundant supply of acorns as good food for many of His creatures. The acorns that escape all these hunters and fall on fertile ground germinate in the fall. As the shell cracks open, little roots push out into the soil before freezing weather sets in. But God designed this seed so that no stems or leaves appear until spring. If they did, they would be killed by the cold of winter. In warm weather, the top growth appears, and a new tree is established.

We should be thankful to God for every kind of food graciously given to us. Let’s also remember His words: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Later He explained, “My Father [gives] you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which [comes] down from heaven, and [gives] life unto the world....I am the bread of life: he that [comes] to Me shall never hunger; and he that [believes] on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:32-35).

ML-10/01/2017

"Trucker" The Cat

The cat was named Trucker for a special reason. He had unknowingly hitched a ride in a big truck that was traveling to Newfoundland, Canada. The cat didn’t intend to take a trip that far or even to take a trip at all. But after hopping into the back of the truck, probably for curiosity reasons, he was trapped inside for the next three days. The back of the truck was closed up and securely locked, and the poor cat was inside with no food or water. Besides that, it was winter, and the back of the truck had no heat in it.

He must have been one happy kitty when the driver finally unlocked the doors so he could unload the cargo from the back. The poor creature was so thin when the driver found him that his ribs could be seen right through his fur.

The driver quickly discovered that the cat was very friendly, so he assumed that it had come from a loving home. The driver had always liked cats, and since there was no way he could find out who the owner was, he decided he would keep the cat himself and give it a good home. And that’s how a lonely, trapped kitty was found and loved and given the name “Trucker.”

If you have not had your sins forgiven, you are just like Trucker locked in the back of that truck. You are lost and trapped in your sins, without knowing the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus who died for you. The Bible tells us, “The Son of Man [Jesus] is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He died on Calvary’s cross for sinners like you and me, and He wants to forgive our sins. Will you open your heart’s door by admitting that you are a sinner and let Him in? He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man [or woman or boy or girl] hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will [eat] with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

For those of us who have opened our heart’s door to Jesus, He has promised us a wonderful, loving home in heaven where we will live with Him in that happy place for all eternity. Trucker now has a happy home with a loving owner, and you can too. Jesus says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Will you accept His love and forgiveness of your sins?

MEMORY VERSE: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

ML-10/08/2017

The Ungrateful Young Beggars

As we crossed the border going from Mexico to Guatemala, all the passengers had to get off the bus and walk across the border. There were many young boys, possibly 10 or 12 years old, begging for money. Many of these young beggars followed the walking passengers. Since we were leaving Mexico, we were willing to give the Mexican coins we had in our pockets to the young beggar boys.

One little beggar complained to me about the small amount I gave him. Another actually cursed at one of us because he was not happy with the number of coins he was given. They continued to ask for more money, and some of them were very pushy about it. Besides the coins, we gave them Spanish pocket calendars that had gospel verses on them. One of the boys tore his calendar into very small pieces. These young beggars were very ungrateful.

I couldn’t help but think of the stories in the Bible about beggars, and they were not ungrateful. One of the beggars was named Lazarus. The Bible tells us in Luke 16 of his very sad life, lying at the gate of a rich man, with his body covered in sores. His food was mostly the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. The account also says that Lazarus died and was carried away by the angels to heaven. Lazarus passed out of this world where he had no comforts into a place of joy and happiness. He was not taken to heaven because he was a poor man and had such a bad life here in this world; no, he was taken there because he had faith in the living God.

Another beggar the Bible tells us about was not only poor, but he was also blind. Mark 10 tells us his story: “Blind Bartimaeus . . . sat by the highway side begging.” When he heard that Jesus was coming, he called out, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” There were those who told him to keep quiet and not to bother Jesus. But Bartimaeus believed that Jesus, as the Son of David, was his true King, and he had faith that Jesus could heal his blind eyes and give him sight. Bartimaeus didn’t give up—he called louder. And our blessed Lord always answers faith with blessing. Bartimaeus received his sight.

Boys and girls, we hope that if you have not yet believed in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you will learn from these two beggars the Bible tells us about. They could only go to heaven because they had their sins forgiven by the Lord Jesus. If you will by faith believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He promises to forgive your sins. “We have redemption through [Jesus’] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). But if you neglect to put your trust in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you cannot go to heaven. The Lord Jesus said, “Ye . . . shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come . . . . Ye shall die in your sins . . . if ye believe not that I am He” (John 8:21,24).

Remember the beggar boy who said our gift was too small? Instead of being grateful for what he received, he complained about the amount of the gift. For you who by faith have believed in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and your sins are forgiven, are you grateful? Have you really thanked Him from the depths of your heart for saving your soul? His offer of salvation is an enormous gift and bought at a tremendous price! We should thank the Lord Jesus every day for dying on the cross for us. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

ML-10/08/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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 tree blossoms and other plant life, 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, in attempting to develop or improve certain characteristics of particular creatures, breeders sometimes interfere with the plan God has made for these creatures, 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 1950, 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, unknown to breeders at that time, it 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 lives in its own geographical location with a particular nature best suited to its surroundings. The bees in Africa, for instance, have different circumstances 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 hundreds of stings.

The unwise crossbreeding experiments in Brazil resulted in 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 even people have been killed by their many stings since these experiments started.

Since 1985, these vicious bees have gradually worked their way northward into Mexico and even into the southern parts of the United States. It does not appear that they will be a serious problem farther north. That’s because they prefer the warmer climates of the south, similar to the climates of Africa and South America.

This tragic experiment 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 would be for each of us to follow what the beginning Bible verse 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-10/08/2017

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 streetlights 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!” It was 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 was 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. Jesus is the Savior for anyone who will trust in Him. “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).

We called the police department, and John, little Danny and a police officer drove around town for about two hours in the early, early 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 to take him home.

What a kind Savior 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 longs to scoop you up into His arms to save you from the punishment for your sins. And He will help and guide you through this life until you go to live 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 Savior, 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. For them 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, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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

ML-10/15/2017

Street Signs

Do you know the meaning of all the street signs that greet us in every town and city? There are so many signs—STOP signs, YIELD signs, SCHOOL CROSSING signs, ONE WAY signs—and that’s just a few of them. Signs are helpful, but there is one that is often rather unwelcome. It seems to show up when you realize you are on the wrong road and want to turn around. And there in front of you is the sign that says, “NO U-TURN.” That sign is there for a very good reason.

Once we were driving on a wet, slippery street. We came over a hill, and the driver ahead of us, with no warning, decided to make a U-turn right where the sign said, “NO U-TURN”! In spite of braking hard, we could not stop in time, and our car slid right into the side of his car, causing a lot of damage to both cars. He made a costly mistake and caused a lot of trouble, because he disobeyed that sign.

Although we have driven for many years, we have never yet seen a sign that says, “U-TURN HERE.” But I am glad to be able to tell you that on the road of life, God has no unwelcome signs that say, “NO U-TURN.” In fact, His signs, if we could see them, would be just the opposite. Everywhere we would see signs that say, “U-TURN HERE.”

When John the Baptist preached long ago, saying, “Repent,” it was as though he were saying to his listeners, “Make a U-TURN HERE.” All who are on the wrong road, whether young, middle-aged or older, repent of your sins—be very sorry about them and make a U-TURN HERE!

When you realize you are driving on the wrong road, obey the STOP sign, make a U-TURN and then find someone to guide you. Some years ago when we were completely lost in a maze of streets in a large city, a kind man saw us, and knowing the way out, he said, “Follow me.” Then he got into his car, drove ahead of us, and led us around until we saw the main highway and happily went our way on the right road. The Lord Jesus, like John, came telling the people to “Repent,” but He not only gave the command, He knew the way to heaven, so He said, “Follow Me” (Mark 2:14). He is the only one who could say, “I am the light of the world: he that [follows] Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

As you read this, think of the street signs and stop and think if you might be on the wrong road. Then wherever you are, make a U-turn and call on Jesus, “for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

ML-10/15/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: 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 wild.

The one known as the forest wildcat is actually a variety of the lynx, but is smaller than most lynx. It is only about one-third larger than a house cat, with longer legs, a broader head and shorter tail. Another variety is called desert lynx, and looks very much like a household pet. 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.

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 beetles, grasshoppers and crickets. Sometimes a wildcat will flatten itself on a branch over a trail and pounce on unsuspecting animals or birds which pass below.

Wildcats are excellent tree-climbers and prefer to live in forests or brushy places but sometimes will have a well-hidden den in rocky areas. Often they will have more than one den for hiding purposes 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 using their sharp-clawed feet to pull 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, and then she teaches them to hunt by putting live mice and other small creatures in front of them. If the 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 our opening Bible verse. Can you say with the psalm writer as he thought about the Lord’s loving ways, “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-10/15/2017

Shark Attack!

Joe and Rudy loved to go fishing. There was nothing they liked better than to row out in the bay and spend a day catching fish. This particular day was no different than any other, and the two friends packed some food into their boat and along with their gear rowed out to the reef, which was a good distance from shore. All day the two men caught fish after fish and threw them into their boat.

It was late in the afternoon and time to quit. The men packed away their gear and started the long row back to the harbor. Now, because of all the fish, their boat was much lower down in the water than it was when they had left that morning.

After they had been rowing for a while, they noticed something slicing through the water, coming toward them from the ocean. Oh, no! It was a shark’s dorsal fin, and it was heading straight for their rowboat! Then they saw another...and another...and another! Each one was circling, round and round their little boat and gradually closing in on the two frightened men. They couldn’t row any faster, and they didn’t know what else to do.

“Let’s throw them some of the fish,” Joe said. “Maybe that’ll satisfy their hunger.” And so they began throwing their day’s work out to feed the hungry sharks that surrounded their boat.

Like Joe and Rudy, how many times have you and I used our own ideas to fight off the attacks of our worst enemy, Satan? But we are no match for him in our own strength. The Bible says in James 4:7, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We can only do that through the power of the Lord Jesus.

Soon the day’s catch of fish was gone, but the sharks were still very close to the boat. Joe and Rudy were terrified. Suddenly a shark shot out of the water and tore an oar from the oarlock! Now the two men were unable to row, and they knew they were helpless to get away.

One of the men waved frantically toward shore, hoping to attract attention. But all they got was a friendly wave back.

Now the sharks were closing in for the kill. One of the creatures arched out of the water, and as it dropped back into the water its jaw caught on the side of the boat, ripping a piece out of the wooden hull. Unfortunately for the shark, its jaw was cut on the edge of the torn boat and began to bleed. Suddenly there was a mass of roiling water as the rest of the sharks, sensing blood in the water, attacked the injured shark. In moments, the shark was totally eaten!

As the two men realized they were at the mercy of these deadly creatures, they fell on their knees in their boat and cried to God to save them. In their desperate need, they promised God that if He saved them out of this, they would serve Him for the rest of their lives.

There are phrases in Psalm 107 that describe the exact situation of our two friends. “Their soul is melted because of the trouble . . . and are at their wit’s end. They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He [brings] them out of their distresses” (vss. 26-28). The Lord sometimes chooses to put us into really difficult situations in order to make us turn to Him.

And so God, who holds our very breath in His hands, was watching over Joe and Rudy. Looking up, the two terrified friends again saw more fins heading their way, but these were not shark fins. Their path through the water was different. Here was nothing but the hand of the Lord reaching out to save two repentant sinners. Dolphins, one of the few creatures that sharks fear, were heading toward this troubled spot in the bay. It seemed as if the sharks quickly decided that being right there at that moment was not a good idea, and they left the boat and headed for the open sea. Not one shark stayed behind!

With thankful hearts, Rudy and Joe limped their way to the harbor with their damaged boat and one oar. They both kept their promises to God and now serve Him instead of spending their time on things that don’t really matter.

The Lord Jesus loves you, and Hebrews 7:25 says, “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Have you come to Him to be saved from your sins?

MEMORY VERSE: “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

ML-10/22/2017

The Bible in a Loaf of Bread

John Huss can be called the prophet and reformer, but also the martyr of Bohemia. By his clear testimony, the eyes of thousands were opened regarding false teachings and also regarding the finished work of Christ. But this public proclamation of the gospel did not last long in this country. John Huss was burned at the stake, and many Christians were killed. Everywhere there was a search for Bibles in order to have them destroyed.

A woman who loved the Word of God stood in front of her oven and was just about to bake bread when she heard that men of the Inquisition had entered her village to put everyone in prison who was found to have a Bible.

She quickly took her Bible, wrapped it in a lump of dough and put it into the oven. Then she also placed the other loaves inside.

Not long after, her house was searched from the basement to the attic, but nothing could be found. When the searchers left the house, the loaves were baked, and also the Bible was safely preserved from the hot temperature of the oven by being inside the loaf of bread.

What a surprise! The Bible was unharmed! It reminds us of the Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were cast into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar, from which they came out completely unharmed.

The descendants of this fearless woman have kept her Bible as a precious heirloom. The last heir, a farmer by the name of Schebold, also a Bohemian by birth who lived in Ohio, treasured this Bible very much.

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

ML-10/22/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Two Tropical Iguanas

“I will speak of the glorious honor of Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works.” Psalm 145:5

Iguanas belong to the lizard family and are found throughout the deserts, forests and waters of the world. Most iguanas look like miniature dragons but are actually shy and not a threat to people. A mature one will weigh as much as ten pounds and may be six feet long or longer, including its tail.

The tropical green iguana makes its home among the trees from Panama to Brazil. It also looks like a miniature dragon, with its sharp claws and spines sticking up all along its back. This one is also shy and hides when anyone comes near. Except when hunting food, it likes to stretch out on the branch of a tall tree and enjoy the sun. It looks so much like the bark of native trees that it is difficult to spot unless it is moving.

The main food of this iguana is wild fruit and tender leaves and shoots found high in tall trees. Little ones are hatched from eggs laid by the female in a hole she has dug in the sand or ground. Soon after hatching, she takes her young up into a tall tree where they feel right at home and live up there until nearly full grown. They eat leaves and buds and drink water from cup-like leaves holding rainwater. The parents often spend time with their young in the trees, but they gather much of their food down on the ground where they can quickly escape if anything dangerous appears.

Natives in those tropical areas have discovered that iguanas are good to eat. As a result, it has been necessary to pass laws limiting the amount of hunting that can be done. However, farmers are allowed to raise them on their own properties and sell them to meat markets, where they receive a good price. Iguana meat tastes so good it is sometimes nicknamed “chicken of the trees.”

A contrasting species is the Galapagos marine iguana, somewhat larger and heavier than those found in deserts and forests. Groups of these may vary in color, but their leather-like bodies are most often brownish-black or gray. Their skin is coarse and fierce-looking with fleshy upright spikes from the top of their heads to the end of their tails.

Large groups of this species will cling to the steep, rough rocks rising above low tides of the ocean beaches and feast on seaweed and other marine plants that grow there. They are good swimmers.

Are you one of the happy people who believes and trusts the Lord God who created all things? A Bible verse says, “Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name” (1 Chronicles 16:8). Is this something you do?

ML-10/22/2017

Set 12

Kenny's Pocketknife

“Wait a minute, Andy!” Kenny ordered his friend, digging one hand into his jeans’ pocket and then hiding something behind his back. “Wanna see what I got? Com’on behind the barn, and I’ll show ya.”

The two boys quietly disappeared behind the barn while their sisters continued to play.

“Whacha got, Kenny?” whispered Andy, happy that Kenny would share a secret with him.

Andy waited to see Kenny’s treasure. “Wow, where’d you get it from?” he exclaimed as he turned over in his hand the shiny, new pocketknife, complete with all the various blades and gadgets.

“You know Tiger, Mr. Ritchie’s little dog, don’t ya?”

Andy nodded. All the children in the area knew Tiger, and they all liked the little beagle.

“Well, Mr. Ritchie told me that Tiger was lost. He said he figured Tiger had chased a rabbit down a hole somewhere in the fields and had gotten stuck, and no one had been able to find him anywhere. I told Mr. Ritchie I’d try to find him. He didn’t think I’d be able to, but said I could certainly try. ‘If you do find him, Kenny,’ he said, ‘I’ll give you a nice reward.’“

“And did you find Tiger?” questioned Andy.

“Yeah, I did. That’s how I got the knife,” explained Kenny. “I started around the first field calling, ‘Tiger, Tiger,’ and then I’d stop to listen every once in a while. But he wasn’t there, so I went around the next field and the next, doin’ the same thing. Then one time when I stopped to listen, I heard a funny little yelp, and when I called his name again, I heard the yelp again. I followed the sound as best I could and finally found a hole partway hidden by some bushes, and there was poor ol’ Tiger’s tail sticking out. He sure was stuck down that rabbit hole. I tried digging him loose with my bare hands, but the ground was too hard. So I found a stick in the bushes and used that to dig out some of the dirt until I could get a hand in to dig some more. Pretty soon he came wiggling out backwards. I was still sittin’ on the ground, and he licked me all over and was so excited. I scooped him up and carried him back to Mr. Ritchie. He could hardly say anything, he was so surprised and happy to have Tiger back. He told me to come by the next day, and when I did he gave me this knife. Cool, huh?”

“Yeah,” agreed Andy, “and I’m sure glad you found Tiger before he died down that hole, Kenny!”

A little disappointed that all of Andy’s interest seemed to have been transferred from the knife to Tiger, Kenny jumped up, put his knife in his pocket, and called Andy to follow him up the ladder.

“Let’s pounce on the girls and scare them,” he suggested.

Appearing suddenly among the girls who had built a house in the bales of hay, Kenny and Andy played “King of the Haystack” before finally leaving the girls and running across the field to play in the creek.

That night when Kenny’s dad came into his room to read the Bible and pray with him, Kenny looked for his knife to show his dad, but he couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t in his jeans’ pocket or anywhere in his room. He must have lost it! He was so upset that he did not listen when his dad read and prayed. Even when he prayed that they might find the missing knife, Kenny did not feel better. When his dad left the room, Kenny buried his face in his pillow and cried.

Kenny only prayed and read his Bible because his parents made him, not because he wanted to. And so for days he continued to look for his knife, but he did not think to pray about it himself.

Several days later, Andy saw him and hearing about his lost knife said, “Hey, you know my mom lost her wedding ring once and she asked Jesus to help her find it, and then she didn’t worry about it anymore. A couple days later she found it! Why don’t you do the same thing about your knife?”

In bed that night Kenny thought about what Andy had said. A little voice seemed to say to him, “But you are not one of God’s children.” He knew the way to become one of God’s children was to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, but until now he had not done that. He remembered what his dad sometimes told him the Bible said. It was something like, “If I keep sin in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). This bothered Kenny. For a long time he couldn’t get to sleep.

Finally he got out of bed, knelt down and admitted to the Lord Jesus that he was a sinner and needed to be saved and asked Him to wash away all his sins. Feeling a big load gone, Kenny went to sleep. The next morning he told the Lord Jesus about his knife and asked Him to help him find it.

Kenny looked so happy that day that his parents wondered what had happened.

Often as each day passed, Kenny would pray about his knife.

Then on the fifth day just as he was getting dressed, he heard his dad calling him. Opening his bedroom door, he answered, and what he heard sent him racing down the stairs two at a time.

“Your pocketknife, Kenny! Here’s your pocketknife!”

“Where was it, Dad?” he asked, taking it from him. “I knew I’d get it back,” he added shyly.

“I started to load some hay bales from the barn and had cut about halfway down one of the piles when I found it. I thought it might be the one you lost.”

Kenny, with his face still full of excitement at having his knife back, explained, “I prayed about it, Dad, and asked Jesus to help me find it.”

“Kenny, does this mean you’ve asked the Lord Jesus to be your Savior?”

“Yes, Dad, I took care of that first,” Kenny explained, and his father understood.

“Thank You, Lord, for answering two prayers!” he exclaimed to the Lord Jesus as he gave Kenny a big hug.

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).

MEMORY VERSE: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8

ML-10/29/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Just How Bad Are Wolverines?

“Who [teaches] us more than the beasts of the earth, and [makes] us wiser than the fowls of heaven?” Job 35:11

A number of years ago we reviewed the life of a wolverine, and from information available then we said, “The wolverine is a wicked destroyer.” We also called it “a bad-tempered beast.” But since that time, scientists have studied this animal more thoroughly. Now many agree that, although it can be vicious and frightening, it does have some good qualities too. We’ll look at some of these.

A member of the weasel family, it is related to badgers, skunks and otters. This dark brown, lively animal is about three feet long, plus an eight-inch tail. It looks something like a miniature bear, except for its bushy fur and pointed face. It is one of the most powerful animals for its size in the world. Its North American homeland is in many of the wooded areas on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, as well as Alaska. The wolverine is also found in Europe and Asia.

Until a more complete study was made, it had the reputation of being a vicious killer of small- and medium-sized animals and birds. But in their interesting research, it was discovered that this is only true when the wolverine is extremely hungry. It should actually be called a scavenger, which is an animal whose main food is animals or birds already dead or injured.

Following that discovery, it was pointed out by the researchers that it is really a very helpful animal, by clearing forests and fields of dead creatures (much like what crows and vultures do). To really appreciate this, we need to keep in mind that a dead fox, squirrel, coyote, or even a small bird soon decays. These carcasses attract flies and insects that can carry harmful bacteria and diseases to many places, causing sickness and death to other animals, birds and even people.

But there’s no denying that a hungry wolverine, finding a way to break into a trapper’s unoccupied cabin, will gobble up any food it can reach. That, of course, doesn’t make them very popular with the trappers, nor does their making a meal out of animals caught in traps and ruining the valuable furs. So it’s easy to see how these lively animals have gotten a bad reputation.

We might ask, “Will the Creator allow this to go on forever?” The Bible provides the answer, telling us, “By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin” (Romans 5:12). But there is a time coming when those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior will find that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4). This promise is only to those who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Can you claim that promise?

ML-10/29/2017

I Hear a Bear!

It was summertime, and our family had gone to the Saint John River area out in the countryside to visit our aunt and uncle on their farm. There were cows to milk, a horse to ride, the hay to bring in, and a large, unfriendly bull to watch out for. After a day full of chores and fun, it was time to settle down for the night.

It was decided that big brother David, who was nine, and younger sister Jane, who was eight, along with little brother Enos, who was four, would get to sleep in the little cabin which was across the busy highway and beyond a very long field. It was by the edge of the woods and underneath a big elm tree. Dad and Mother, along with Uncle Ken and Aunt Muriel and other relatives, got to sleep in the big, two-story white house, which was up the long gravel driveway.

Little Enos was very tired and fell asleep right away in the cabin. But David and Jane were not that tired, so they lay in their beds listening to the wind blow outside. After a while, they heard a scraping noise.

“Listen,” said David. “What do you think that was?”

“I don’t know,” said Jane.

So, they listened some more. After a few minutes they heard scraaape! David said, “I think it’s a bear!” Jane said, “I do, too!” Then David said, “If it’s a bear, I’m going to run!” Jane said, “If you run, I’m not staying!” But they didn’t run just yet. Instead, they waited and listened closely. Sure enough, after a few minutes they heard another scraaape! This is when David said, “I’m going to run!” and Jane said, “Me too!”

Jumping out of bed, and not even bothering to put on their shoes, they flung open the cabin door and raced across the newly cut hay field and across the very busy highway. Then they ran up the long, gravel driveway to the big, two-story house. Racing up the wooden steps, they flung open the kitchen door and burst into the room full of surprised adults who were sitting around the big table enjoying apple and rhubarb pie. Into the total silence that followed, David frantically announced, “Dad, a bear! A bear!” “Yes, yes,” said Jane, “a bear!”

David and Jane had allowed their imaginations to run wild. Not only that, they had left their little brother Enos behind, with no thought for his safety. They did not realize that their parents would not have let them sleep in the cabin if there had been any chance of danger. After the adults talked it over, it was decided that Dad and David would sleep in the cabin, and Jane would sleep with her mother in the house.

These two children ran when there was no need. But, boys and girls, do you know that the Bible tells us that we need to flee from the wrath to come? This is because our sins make us unclean in God’s sight. God is pure and holy, and He cannot have sin in His presence. That is why God sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on Calvary’s cross for us. When we place our trust and faith in the Lord Jesus, His blood cleanses us from all sin. “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 [is now] on him” (John 3:36). God promises us that those who put their trust in Jesus will be saved, which means to have eternal life. And everyone who has eternal life will live with Jesus in heaven forever. Won’t you put your trust in Him now? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

But that is not the end of the story. David and Jane did hear something, but what was it? The next morning they discovered what had made the noise. Do you remember that the cabin was underneath an old elm tree? Hanging low from the elm tree was a big branch. Every time a strong gust of wind came, it would blow the branch against the cabin rooftop. It was this scraping sound that had scared David and Jane. Dad was able to cut off the big branch, solving the problem for good.

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

ML-11/05/2017

Lexi and the Rushing Creek

My family and I live on a small farm with cats, chickens, goats, rabbits and a cute puppy named Lexi. She needs lots of exercise.

One day, my sister, brother and I decided to take her on a hike. As we walked, we came to the creek running through our property. It has no bridge, but that’s usually not a problem. The shallow water moves rather slowly, and Lexi is not afraid of water. We just wade through it.

The day of our story, however, was different. Rain had fallen the night before, leaving our creek a fast, somewhat deep, muddy waterway. The day was cold, and with no bridge it would have been dangerous for Lexi to swim through the water.

Right away, my brother took Lexi up into his arms and carried her safely through the creek. She whined a little, but she did not try to get away.

My brother’s care for Lexi is a good example of the Lord Jesus’ care for us. Lexi did not know she was in need of being carried. If she were like people, she may have thought, I can get across by myself.

Many people think they can make it through life and into heaven without God. However, the truth is that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

Once we have trusted in Jesus for salvation, we can learn another lesson from Lexi. She trusted that my brother was doing what was best for her. And we can always trust in Jesus’ arms, knowing that He loves us and His ways are best for us. “He [cares] for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

ML-11/05/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Wrasse Fish Are Beauties

“God created great whales, and every living creature that [moves] . . . after his kind.” Genesis 1:21

Wrasse (pronounced “rass”) are among the most colorful and interesting of all fish. They range in size from a few inches to some that weigh as much as two hundred pounds, but the small ones are the most attractive. All have been given beautiful coloring by the Creator and are found in ocean waters off the coasts of Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Many divers find the Red Sea another favorite place for them.

Those in the northern waters include the red wrasse, the green, the black, the rainbow, the ballen and several more. An outstanding one in the Great Barrier Reef is called moon. It is different than most others, having a rather small mouth and pointed head. It has a beautiful, narrow blue and pink ridge along the length of its back, which matches big fins that are bright blue with soft pink in the center. Its pointed, narrow head is also blue.

A big, two hundred pounder in the Red Sea is called the humphead, because at first glance it looks like a big turtle is getting a ride on its blue and green back. Huge lips covering its large mouth are a smooth deep blue, but the rest of its body is pale blue, except for big green fins matching the coloring of the hump on its back.

One of the interesting activities of the smaller wrasse is cleaning the teeth of big fish. When a huge fish is uncomfortable with bits of food caught in its teeth, it holds its huge mouth open when it sees a wrasse approaching. The wrasse swims right inside, checking out each tooth for bits of food, which are often parts of other fish that were eaten.

If the big fish should shut its mouth at such a time, it would be the end of the little visitor, but they never seem to do that. When the little wrasse finishes its job, it swims away, having had a free meal. The huge fish, with its teeth now clean, goes its way also, perhaps never again to see its tooth-cleaner. Isn’t it wonderful how the Creator has provided such an unusual arrangement for them?

There are many more varieties. Each one is a little different from the others, but all are beautifully colored by the One named in our opening Bible verse.

These provide one more example of the wonders of God’s creation, and they are always under His watchful eye. But more importantly, the Bible also tells us that “the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear [respect] Him. . . . Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name” (Psalm 33:18-21). Can this be said of you?

ML-11/05/2017

The Story of a Mountain Sheep

It was a sure-footed mountain sheep that loved to be free on Mount Moriah long ago. Each of its strong hoofs was divided down the middle, which gave it a good grip on rocky ledges that you would never dare to climb. And it had strong, curved horns, which made it a good fighter. But there was a day...let me tell you about it.

Up the mountain that day came an old man named Abraham with his young son Isaac. Isaac carried a big bundle of wood. Abraham had no matches, so he carried a container of red coals of fire and a knife. It looked as if Abraham had a plan.

Yes, but it was not his own plan. It was God’s plan, and I’m sure Abraham’s heart was hurting when he thought of it. Isaac did not know the plan. He knew that the fire and the knife were to offer a sacrifice to God, but he could not see any sacrifice. “Where is the lamb?” he asked his father.

“God will provide [for] Himself a lamb,” answered his father, and they climbed up the mountain together.

On the mountaintop, Abraham built an altar of stones, arranged Isaac’s bundle of wood on it, and then tied up his son and laid him on the altar upon the wood. Then he lifted up his knife.

They were all alone up there on the mountaintop. Who was there to see how very much their hearts were hurting? Why would Abraham do such a strange thing? Because God told him to. God had promised to give Abraham this son, and down in his heart Abraham knew that God keeps all His promises, and God was able to bring back that son alive from the dead. Yes, since God had told him to, he would sacrifice his own son and let God do the rest.

Were they really alone? No. God was watching, and God saw right into their hearts, just as He does into yours and mine right now. “Abraham, Abraham,” called a voice from heaven, and Abraham immediately stopped to listen. “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him,” said the Voice.

God was very, very pleased that Abraham was willing to trust Him and to give up his son. God loves to be trusted. You can rest on His promises, no matter how much it hurts. God will make very sure that He pours out His best gifts upon anyone who believes His Word and trusts Him.

Then Abraham turned around, and there was that ram—that male sheep—right behind him. Why didn’t the sheep run away? It was strong, a good climber and a good fighter. But its great horns were caught in a thick bush, and it could not get away.

The knife was used on the ram now, and the fire burned the ram as the sacrifice instead of Abraham’s son. After all, Isaac was a sinner, as we are too, and God must have a sinless offering. The ram was called a clean animal in the sight of God. This was the reason why sheep and lambs were often chosen as sacrifices to God, and they were killed and then burned without suffering.

That is why when John saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Jesus died on a wooden cross. The people were very wicked and cruel to Him, but it was not the people who hurt Him most. It was God Himself who punished Jesus for my sins, but then it was completely dark and no one saw when God did this.

And when the punishment for sin was finished, Jesus was still alive! He died shortly after by giving up His life, and then He was buried. But on the third day, He came out of the grave, alive forever, and He is my Savior now because He died for me. Is He your Savior too?

You may read this story for yourself in Genesis, chapter 22.

MEMORY VERSE: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

ML-11/12/2017

True Stories of Bibles - The Floating Bible

A Japanese officer sailing his ship through the Nagasaki harbor noticed a little book floating in the water. He had one of the sailors scoop it up, but when he opened it, he noticed that it contained strange letters.

He inquired here and there to learn about the contents of this little book, but nobody seemed to know anything about it. Finally, a Chinese merchant who knew some English was able to partly answer the officer’s question by telling him that it was a “Jesus-book,” a book belonging to the foreign intruders. He also knew that there was a Chinese translation available. The officer knew only a little Chinese, but nevertheless he asked the merchant to get him a copy.

As soon as he had the Chinese New Testament, he eagerly studied it in order to learn the Chinese language. In doing so, the Holy Spirit was already working in his heart, though he was unaware of it. When he had finished reading the book, he was a happy man who knew the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior!

In order to maintain Japanese idolatry, it was prohibited to introduce any new religious service. But the officer could not be silent about his Savior, so he met with his family and some of his close friends to study the Bible. Soon after, the love of Christ began working in many hearts.

Later on, more religious liberty was granted, and even a missionary settled in Nagasaki. Now the officer could freely talk about his “Jesus-book” and his faith in the Savior.

He was one of the first to confess Christ freely in Japan. His actions and behavior were a living testimony. The cause of all this was the floating Bible in the Nagasaki harbor. Truly, the gospel has a power that can save everyone who believes.

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

ML-11/12/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Magnificent Pearls

“When He had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:46

Pearls are valued everywhere for their special beauty. Some of the most valuable are found in the Persian Gulf where delicate cream-colored pearls come from a little, three-inch oyster. Other larger pearls, silver-white in color, are quite valuable and usually come from large Australian oysters. Black pearls, which are really a dark, shiny gray, are probably the most valuable.

Pearls are also found along the shores of Japan, China, South America, Europe, North America and elsewhere. Some come from freshwater oysters in the Mississippi River and other rivers running into it. Although these pearls are very pretty, they are nowhere near the quality of saltwater pearls. These freshwater pearls are used mostly in jewelry.

How is a pearl formed? Usually an irritant, such as a grain of sand, gets inside the shell and up against the oyster’s body. The oyster cannot get rid of it and relieves the discomfort by covering it with a thin coating of a substance called nacre. The oyster continues coating it, and over a long period of time the tiny particle gets larger—a little each year, until eventually a pearl is formed. Its color may be cream, pink, black, brown, silver-white or even orange or gold.

The Japanese produce great quantities of “cultured” pearls by placing a tiny bead as the irritant inside the shells of three-year-old oysters they are “farming.” When the oysters are seven years old, their shells are opened. A valuable pearl is found in about one out of every 20 opened. The imperfect pearls will still be sold and used. Cultured-pearl “farming” is also done in other places.

Natural pearls that are perfect may be worth thousands of dollars. The imperfect ones are valuable too. Sometimes no pearl is found in an oyster’s shell, but the inside of the shell may be covered with a coating of “mother-of-pearl.” This can be sold to a button factory or be used on a vase, table lamp, decorative plate or other place.

The Bible verse quoted at the beginning was spoken by the Lord Jesus. He likened Himself to the merchant who spent all that he had (gave His life on Calvary’s cross) to purchase a pearl of great price (those who will thank Him for that wonderful sacrifice and accept Him as their Savior). What wonderful love He showed in doing this. Are you part of that precious pearl? You can be. You only need to confess to Him that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Savior by believing that He died for your sins. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:17).

ML-11/12/2017

"I Have to Pray"

Gloria was about six years old, and she was angry—very angry! She had just had a bad quarrel with her sister. Slamming the door behind her, she threw herself on the grass behind their home. She wanted to hurt somebody or something!

In front of her, she saw a spider. Now, most little girls don’t want to touch spiders, but Gloria lived on a farm, and she had held spiders before. She knew this kind of spider was safe for her to hold. But the spider was not safe from Gloria! She reached out and caught the spider and then began to slowly pull off its legs, one by one. Finally, only the spider’s body was left, and she dropped it in the grass and watched it squirm for a while. Then, having gotten rid of some of her anger, she got up and went back into the house.

But Gloria had a conscience, just like you and I have. As the day passed, she began to feel more and more guilty about her cruelty to a helpless spider. It wasn’t just what she had done to the spider that bothered her, but her growing realization of what her own heart was like—how sinful it was! She was miserable. Gloria went back outside to see if she could find what was left of the spider, but she couldn’t—and she knew she couldn’t undo what she had done even if she had found the spider.

That evening, as usual, her father read the Bible with the family. Then they all knelt while he began to pray for his family as he had often done before. Gloria couldn’t bear it. She crawled to her mother and whispered, “I have to pray.” Her mother understood the urgency and quietly interrupted Gloria’s father. He and Gloria’s sister both came over to her, knelt beside her and put their arms around her. They knew she was miserable. Then Gloria began to tell the Lord Jesus how bad she was and how she wanted and needed His forgiveness.

It was the beginning of a new life for Gloria. She was relieved of her guilt, and now she was also free to love her sister and family and friends as never before. Besides that, she wanted to share what little she knew about Jesus with everyone.

Now, how about you? Have you ever come to Jesus and confessed to Him your sin and your need of His salvation? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). And then He promises, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

MEMORY VERSE: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

ML-11/19/2017

Out of Control

Mr. Walters had been having trouble for some time with his car stalling, so he had a mechanic take a look at it. The mechanic suggested setting the idling speed a little faster, which he did. It seemed to help, so Mr. Walters thought his troubles were over.

A few days later Mr. Walters tried to start the car, but now there was a new problem. When he turned the key, he heard a click, but it would not start. He suspected a loose battery connection, so he wiggled the battery cable. The car still wouldn’t start. He tried this several times, and each time he turned the key nothing happened. Being fed up with the problem and not expecting the car to start, he became careless. He tapped the battery terminal, reached through the opened door and turned the key . . . without getting in.

To his amazement and horror the car not only started, but it began to move backwards . . . with no one inside to steer it or turn it off! It nearly knocked him down, and, because of the fast idling speed that had been set, it was picking up speed. The runaway car was headed toward several cars on the street. However, because it was going backwards, the front wheels turned and caused it to go around in a circle.

It missed the cars and came back toward Mr. Walters’ house. It looked as though the car would crash into the dining room at first, but it made a tighter turn. Missing the dining room, it hit the front steps, just missing Mr. Walters and the huge tree in the front yard.

By now Mr. Walters was in a state of panic. The car swung around three times, each time clipping the front entryway and the steps. It seemed like it would be an endless horror, but finally the car swerved in a different direction, causing it to jump the curb and slam into the big tree.

In addition to damaging the steps, the opened door of the car was torn off and the rear of the car was destroyed when it hit the tree. However, through the Lord’s care no one was hurt, and the damage to the house was not as bad as it could have been.

Allowing sin in our lives is like starting a car without a driver. The car in this story was out of control, and no one knew when or where it was going to stop. It could do great damage and harm, possibly even causing death or permanent injury.

You see, boys and girls, sin can and does do great harm. Because God is holy, He hates sin and must punish it. God warns us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Yes, God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. That is why He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to die for sinners. “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 not only wants to wash you from your sins, but He wants you to let Him control your life so that you will live for Him and be happy. “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).

Won’t you let Jesus wash your sins away and be in control of your life? That’s the way to happiness now and forever in His home in heaven.

ML-11/19/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: An Amazing Combination

“How sweet are Thy words [the words of God] unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Psalm 119:103

Many unusual birds and animals live in the country of Kenya in Africa. An amazing combination that works together is a seagull-sized bird with dark brown wings and a snow-white body, and a four-footed animal with long, dark-gray fur, having a narrow white border and short black legs. These are the honey-guide bird and the honey badger, also called the ratel. Both of these creatures like wild honey and work together to get it.

When the honey-guide bird is flying through the forests and hears a loud humming of bees, she knows a nest is nearby in the side of a split rock or perhaps in a decaying tree trunk. Immediately she flies to where she knows a honey badger will be found, and she chatters noisily to attract his attention. Then she flies in the direction of the swarm of bees, making sure the badger is following. They may have to go quite a distance, but both know the treat that will be at the end of the trip.

When they get to the swarm of bees, the honey badger starts tearing the honeycomb apart with his sharp claws and teeth. The bees begin buzzing angrily about and swarming over him. But he isn’t afraid of them, because their stingers can’t get through his long, loose fur.

What about the bird? She waits patiently, for it is not the honey she wants; she’s after the waxy honeycomb that stores the honey. But this will not be available until the badger has first licked out the honey. Eventually she gets the honeycomb and enjoys her treat after the badger has finished and gone on his way. Both will be ready to do it again the next time there is an opportunity.

Sometimes when a native hunter sees the bird leading a badger, he knows what’s going on and will frighten the animal away. Then the bird accepts him as a substitute with the same results. The man gets the honey, and the bird gets her fill of the wax that she can handle with a digestive system that breaks down and welcomes the sweet food, usually accompanied by a number of bees eaten at the same time.

We know that when the Creator first brought bees, birds and animals into the world, they all lived together peacefully. It was the disobedience of Adam and Eve that brought sin into the world, with many problems and sorrows for all creatures of the world.

But God has promised a happy life in heaven for those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Heaven is His home where no sin or unhappiness of any kind will ever come. Will you be there too?

ML-11/19/2017

Set 13

Stalking the Deer

One overcast Saturday afternoon Mark asked permission to take his dad’s car and his old shotgun to go deer hunting. Now that old shotgun was known for only firing two-thirds of the time, but it was the only one available, so Mark was glad to use it.

Off he went, driving from Rockland about 35 miles up into the heavily wooded interior of Maine. Nearing the area, he began driving very slowly along the side of the road, looking for signs of deer. It wasn’t too long before he saw a big buck.

Mark parked the car, jumped out with the shotgun, took good aim and fired. But it so happened that that was the one-third of the time when the shotgun didn’t fire properly. The buck was startled by the noise and crashed through the underbrush, with Mark crashing after him.

The chase went on for an hour or so, and each time the buck stopped to rest, Mark would try to stalk him and take aim, but he never got an opportunity like he had the first time. Now the buck was jumpy, and hearing the slightest noise, it would crash into the underbrush in another direction. Then Mark would trail him once again.

After a while Mark began to get tired and decided to sit down to eat an apple he had in his pocket. While resting, he noticed an unusual tree growing near the spot where he was sitting. Finishing his apple, he got up and began trailing the deer again.

Well, Mark never did catch up to that deer because he was suddenly rather surprised to see that it was beginning to get dark—time to head back to the car. It was then he realized that he had been in such a hurry to chase that deer that he hadn’t taken the time to pull his compass out and check his direction as he usually did.

Mark started to worry. He didn’t know exactly which way he should go. He began to walk in the direction that he thought would be the right way.

After walking for about an hour, he was startled by a discovery. He had come back to the same unusual tree where he had stopped to eat his apple. Now he really was worried, because he realized he had walked in a big circle! So he asked the Lord Jesus to help him find his way out of the woods.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). As we travel through life, we also have to turn in the right direction if we want to be on the road that leads to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way” (John 14:6), so we must follow Him.

It wasn’t too long before Mark’s prayer for help was answered. A kind old woodsman came walking by, and he said to Mark, “Son, what are you trying to do?”

Mark answered, “I’m trying to get to the road.”

The old woodsman said, “Well, you’ll never get there that way, son.” Then the kind old man said to Mark, “Follow me, son, and I’ll lead you to the road.”

Mark didn’t have to be told that he was lost—he knew it very well. He was only too thankful to follow the woodsman to the road and thanked him several times for leading him the right way.

It is the goodness of God that leads us to Calvary’s cross. There the Lord Jesus died for sin. We deserved God’s punishment for our sins. But if we confess that we are sinners and trust in the Lord Jesus, believing that He was punished for our sins in our place, we’ll be saved and on that road that leads to heaven. There is no other way!

The old woodsman had led Mark out of the woods just a short distance from where the car was parked. So he hopped in the car, thanked the old man again, and was soon on his way home.

For those of us who have followed God’s way of salvation, how thankful we can be that heaven soon will be our home, because the Lord Jesus was willing to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

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

ML-11/26/2017

Writing and Talking

Whatever you write,

Though with thought or with speed,

Write nothing

You would not like Jesus to read.

Whatever you say,

In a whisper or clear,

Say nothing

You would not like Jesus to hear.

ML-11/26/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Agouti of Central America

“Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward.” Psalm 40:5

Central America is home for many kinds of wildlife, including large and small animals. One of these small ones is the agouti, also known as the guatuga. Most of these live in Costa Rica, but some live in South America as well.

The agouti is a harmless rodent about the size of a rabbit. If it hears strange noises or spots an enemy, such as a jaguar, coati, or vicious monkey, it gives a special alarm call to others nearby. At the same time it “freezes” as still as a statue or will dash for cover, zigzagging through the trees. The Creator has provided the agouti with strong, long legs, which it uses to move quickly when threatened.

This rather pretty little animal, with a very short tail or no tail at all, has large, bulging eyes, a pointed head and blunt nose. Its small rounded ears are always standing upright when it is awake, which accounts for its keen sense of hearing. Generally it has brown or blackish-brown fur. These animals have longer legs than rabbits.

The agouti lives in dense forests and usually makes its home in a sheltered spot under tree roots, between rocks or in a hollow log. This peaceful creature hunts in daylight for its food, consisting mostly of wild avocados or other fruit, nuts, leaves, roots or stems of good-tasting shrubs. Unlike most animals, its two babies in the litter are already covered with hair when born, and their eyes are fully open. The young can take care of themselves soon after birth, almost immediately beginning to eat plants, but they usually remain with the parents for several weeks.

Natives consider the agouti a helpful friend, because it aids in starting new trees to grow after a forest fire or damaging wind has raged through their part of the country. Since this animal likes acorns and other nuts, it buries large numbers of them in the ground, expecting to return later to dig them up. However, like squirrels and chipmunks which do the same thing, it often forgets where some are buried. In a short time these take root, and soon new trees are started.

These rather cute little animals are another example of the wonderful works of the Lord God, the Creator. We are told in the Bible that He is always looking over all His creation and caring for it. He has a special place in His caring heart for every boy and girl, man and woman, as it tells us in our opening verse. Yes, He has loving thoughts of you. Do you have loving thoughts of Him? He wants you to know His love and invites you to accept Him as your Savior. Have you done this?

ML-11/26/2017

The Bloodhound Story

Nestled away on the side of a mountain, a pioneer community built a meeting room for Sunday church services. It was a simple structure made out of wood, painted white, with a bell tower, and surrounded by a forest of tall evergreen trees. This meeting room was also used as a school.

When school was in session, usually 20 to 25 students attended. The same teacher taught all the students. Because of the wild animals in the area, a loaded shotgun was kept by the door.

Books were hard to come by. The nearest library was miles away, so sometimes people in the community would drop off books at the school for the students to read. One older boy, who only came to school because he had to, came across one of the books that really interested him. It showed what the different animal tracks looked like. He studied the cougar tracks and saw that they were five to six inches wide and circular in shape. Unlike the tracks of the big gray wolves that lived in the area, cougar tracks did not show toenail prints. (The prints of dogs show toenail marks, but cats have retractable toenails.) The boy studied the details of the tracks so that if he ever saw them in the wild, he would recognize them.

At 3:00, the teacher rang the bell, and the students started walking home. This boy walked a little ways behind the other students. He was still thinking about the animal tracks. When he came to part of the road that had a little soft mud on it, he kneeled down and practiced drawing them. Then he guessed how far apart a cougar would place its steps and drew them with that spacing. After that he smoothed out all the practice tracks he had made. Standing up, he was real pleased with his work. He decided he would leave the tracks there to see if he could fool any of the other students into believing they were made by a cougar.

They did fool everyone! The next day at school, word spread pretty fast that a cougar was lurking near the school. The teacher sent word about the tracks to several fathers of her students. They came and inspected the tracks and decided the students needed to be accompanied to and from school. About then, the boy who drew the tracks got worried that if he were ever found out, he would get into a lot of trouble.

Just before school let out, a group of men gathered outside the meeting room windows. From where the boy sat, he could hear them talking. They were discussing different ways to hunt the cougar. One man, who seemed to know what he was talking about, said the best way to hunt cougars was to get a pack of bloodhounds and set them on the scent trail. He said these dogs could follow a scent trail even if it were a few days old. Set them on the trail, and they would find whatever made it!

The boy got scared when he heard their plan. In his mind, he pictured a pack of bloodhounds following the trail right to the front porch of his house, followed by men with shotguns and rifles! He knew those bloodhounds would never stop until they found him. He couldn’t let that happen!

He got up out of his seat, walked right to his teacher and confessed. The teacher scolded him and then made him confess to the men who were making plans to use bloodhounds.

They were angry with him for not telling them sooner. They were also relieved they wouldn’t have to organize a hunt with bloodhounds.

The boy knew his prank had gone too far and that he was going to be found out. So he confessed. What would happen if people knew that every crooked, mean, selfish or underhanded thing they ever did would be brought out into the open before God? Do you think there would be less sinning and more confessing?

The God who sees all and knows all will bring every person who has ever lived into His presence for a hearing. There will be no such thing as someone getting away with a single sin in His sight! “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Thinking, “I’ll cover them up and no one will ever know,” does not happen in God’s sight!

Don’t run away from God; instead, run to Him! Confess that you have sinned in His sight. He loves you and will forgive you immediately, no matter how many sins you may have committed. “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).

MEMORY VERSE: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

ML-12/03/2017

True Stories of Bibles - the Bible Thrown Away

“Throw that thing out the window!”

Most of the time, soldiers can entertain themselves very well by telling funny jokes. They laugh loudly, especially when on a train. A young recruit, however, sat in a corner and read his pocket Bible.

“Let’s play a joke on this religious kid and throw his Bible out the window.”

It took only a second or two, and the Bible lay on the ground between the rails.

Was the young soldier angry? No, he had a Savior in heaven who said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). He was sad, but he remained silent.

A few days later, the young soldier received a package which contained his Bible! Enclosed was a very interesting letter. A rail worker found the Bible and, through reading it, heard the voice of God speaking to him. He was afraid because of his sins, but when reading the Holy Scriptures, he truly met the Savior of sinners.

Now the soldier understood why he had to be separated from his Bible for a few days. A new believer came to know Jesus as his Savior, and the devil had been defeated again.

“As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30).

ML-12/03/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Desert Wildflowers

“The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.” Song of Solomon 2:12

It is only natural to think that deserts are dry and barren, but there are times when they are full of beauty. Desert plants and trees all bloom, mostly in the spring, and many have beautiful flowers.

One of these desert plants is the agave, or century plant, with long bayonet-like leaves. Its ten-foot flower stalk is capped with beautiful white flowers. Another one, the ocotillo or candlewood, has beautiful scarlet or salmon flowers for a short time each year. From a distance these look like bright flames on the ends of many of its tall stems. Joshua trees add their beauty, bursting into bloom in the spring with creamy white flowers.

The Mohave mound cactus, close to the ground, is covered with large scarlet flowers from April to June. At the same time, the desert mariposa displays large, bright-red flowers, perhaps growing amidst a golden-yellow carpet of dandelions. Others include the Saguaro tree, which grows 50 feet high. During May, it displays lovely creamy blossoms with yellow centers clustered at the end of its branches.

Then there is the sand-loving phlox with its small, pretty, reddish-pink flowers, as well the hedgehog cactus. Its prickly stems stand out with many petaled, brilliant, four-inch red flowers with yellow centers. Yet another beauty is the fish-hook barrel plant with tiny reddish flowers overlooking the peculiar hook-like leaves, for which the plant is named. The ball cactus flower, one of the prettiest, has waxy yellow petals coming out of a pretty orange and red center.

If we had more space, there are many other desert beauties we could list, but perhaps these few will paint a picture in your mind of how outstanding desert lands can be in spring.

In a time that is coming, after the Lord Jesus has taken to heaven those who have accepted Him as their Savior and after He has judged those who have rejected Him, He will change the earth into a place of peace and people thankful for God’s blessings. The Bible tells us that during that time the deserts will be places of exceptional beauty. The prophet Isaiah has written, “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2).

Will you be included with those in heaven who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior and look down on the new, beautiful deserts?

ML-12/03/2017

The Young Man's Problem

“COM’ON . . . KEEP UP WITH THE CROWD!”

Maybe you have had the same problem too. Is somebody always saying, “HURRY UP!” or “FASTER, FASTER!” if you lag behind a little?

That’s how this young man of Egypt felt that day. He was a servant to an Amalekite, and it had been an exciting day for the Amalekites. They had robbed King David’s city of Ziklag while he and his men were gone. They captured the families as prisoners and finished by burning the whole city down. Maybe the young men enjoyed the adventure, but they all knew that they had no right to do what they had done and that David and his men would be angry when they found out. They also knew they must get away fast! This was no time for stragglers!

But the young Egyptian did not like the running away part, because he felt sick. And finally he was just too sick to keep up with the Amalekites any longer, so they left him behind.

At the same time, David had some men who couldn’t travel any longer as they chased after the Amalekites who had taken their families as prisoners. David left those men beside the brook Besor where they could safely rest until he could return for them again. But not so with the Amalekites. They said, Just leave that Egyptian in the field. We don’t care about him!

Maybe you know that feeling, when you’ve been left out because you couldn’t keep up with the group. So who cares?

God cares. He sent this problem into your life so that you could learn about His loving heart. He understands the heartache, and He knows the cause. The trouble with that young Egyptian was that he was on the wrong side! He was not on God’s side, and God is the One who wins, because all the earth is His. He sent His beloved Son to die for sinners like you and me, because He cares!

The young Egyptian was left in the field without a drop of water or any food. Three days and three nights he lay in the field, until the sound of footsteps alerted him. David’s men had found him, and they brought him to David. They saw that his immediate problem was hunger and thirst. And they quickly gave him bread, water, raisins and figs, and then he felt much better.

David asked at once who he belonged to. And the young Egyptian told the whole truth, that he was an Egyptian and a servant to an Amalekite. Even though he knew how invaders were treated, he told the complete story of what they had done to the city of Ziklag.

Can you bring me down to this company? asked David. Yes, he could, but he wanted to be sure that David knew that he was now on David’s side. Promise not to give me back to my old master, he pleaded.

Our God will never give you back to the slavery of the world’s service once you belong to Him. Never! Do you think that when Jesus has bought you with His precious blood shed on the cross, He will ever let you go? If you think so, then you don’t know Him. Read the Bible daily and see how much He loves you. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son [Jesus] to be the propitiation [satisfaction] for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

It’s not hard to guess the rest of the story. David found the Amalekites having a party with the stolen stuff! He rescued all his people’s beloved wives and children and everything that had been stolen, and he destroyed the wicked invaders.

Our God has not changed. He is still waiting for you to know His loving heart. There is no need to continue to serve your old master, Satan, whom you have tried so hard to please. This world and Satan have nothing to give you except what has been stolen from the Creator. Our God is over everything, and our Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He lovingly still holds out His nail-pierced hands to you. Will you switch sides and come to Him now?

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

ML-12/10/2017

The Foggy Day

Have you ever been out in fog that was so thick you could hardly see where you were going?

One winter a large flock of ducks was swimming in open water on the Niagara River above Niagara Falls. During the day a thick fog settled over the area. Not being able to see in the fog, the ducks became confused and swam much too close to the edge of the falls. More than a thousand were caught by the current and swept over the falls into the gorge 150 feet below.

The next day when the fog lifted, it was found that many of the ducks had been killed, and the hundreds that did survive the fall were injured and stranded on the ice. They were unable to fly out of the gorge because of their broken wings. And they could not be rescued from the ice because it was too dangerous. Some ducks were able to fly away the following day, but others died out on the ice in sight of people who would have rescued them if they could.

The Bible tells us that anyone who does not know the Lord Jesus as his or her Savior is “blind, and cannot see afar off” (2 Peter 1:9). Another verse says that “he ... [knows] not whither he [goes], because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11). This certainly is a dangerous way to go through life. Many of those ducks made a final fall over Niagara Falls, and all people who do not accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior will make a final fall into “outer darkness: [where] there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).

What an awful and unnecessary end! The Lord Jesus loves us and wants each of us to accept Him as our own Savior. What about you?

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

ML-12/10/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: A Slippery One-The Eel - Part 1

“Ask now . . . and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.” Job 12:7-8

Although they are so long and thin that they look like snakes, eels are actually fish. They have tiny scales embedded in a smooth, slimy skin. They usually grow to about three feet long, but larger ones may grow to five or six feet long.

Male eels spend most of their lives in rivers near the ocean; females go upriver to streams or lakes. After two or three years in freshwater, both males and females head for the ocean at spawning time in the fall. Those in landlocked lakes have a difficult time beginning their journey. They leave the lake in great numbers, wriggling their way for a day or two across fields and ground wet with rain or dew until they find a stream that leads to the ocean. God has equipped them with special gills that hold enough moisture while out of water on this part of their trip.

When the eels reach a stream, they swim downstream, joining others on the way. Many of them are caught in wire traps or nets by people who like them for food. Both European and North American eels that make it to the ocean begin a long migration to the breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda where females deposit thousands of eggs deep below the ocean surface. Here many miles of seaweed are teeming with food which will provide for the needs of baby eels that will appear the following spring. After spawning, the parent eels die.

When the eggs hatch, the young eels are about one-quarter-inch long and are thin and transparent. They rise to the surface where they feed for about a year. The North American eels begin the long trip back to the home of their parents. The European eels remain another year to gain the necessary strength for their journey, which will take about three years. When both species reach the stream of their parents, they are still long, thin and transparent and are called elvers. Just like their parents, the males remain in tidal waters, and the females go far inland—the cycle continuing just as God designed it.

How can these little, inexperienced eels reach their destinations with no parents to guide them? The answer is exactly what the Bible tells us of every creature in the seas: “These wait all upon Thee” (Psalm 104:27). He gives them the instinct to follow the paths He has marked out.

And the Lord has a pathway for every boy and girl called “the path of life,” which is the way to heaven and everlasting joy. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If we accept Him as our Savior, then we are sure of being on the right path where He can teach us His way.

ML-12/10/2017

"Look What Followed Me Home!"

One afternoon as Debbie was walking home from school she found a stray puppy. It was just sitting on the grass in an empty lot. She stopped and petted it for a few minutes. It even rolled over and let her scratch its tummy.

Debbie started walking home and only had gone a little way when she noticed the puppy following her. “You’d better go home,” Debbie told him and started on her way again. But when she looked back, the puppy was still following her.

The puppy was lost and did not know which way to go. It followed her all the way home.

“Look what followed me home from school, Mom! Can we keep him?”

Her mother picked up the puppy and looked him over. Then she said to Debbie, “He looks well-cared for, Debbie. Although he doesn’t have a tag on his collar, I’m sure he has a home. He belongs to someone—maybe a boy or a girl just like you. Let’s keep him here and see if we can find his owner.”

After giving the puppy something to eat, Debbie put him in the garage to keep him from running away.

“How can we find out who he belongs to?” she asked.

“I guess the best way is to make some signs and put them up where people will see them. You can start making some signs right now, if you want to.”

Debbie sat at the kitchen table and worked on a sign. It read:

FOUND: BROWN AND WHITE PUPPY

CALL: 505-367-2905

Debbie made up five of these signs and walked back along the way to school. She got permission to put three of the signs in store windows that she passed. Then she hung one sign on an old nail in a tree in the empty lot where she first found the puppy. She took the last sign to school with her the next morning and tacked it on the bulletin board.

Two days passed and no one called about the lost puppy. But then on the third day the mother of a little boy called. She had seen the sign in one of the store windows. When she described the puppy they had lost to Debbie’s mother, it sounded like the puppy Debbie had found. “We’ll come right over to see,” the lady said.

Fifteen minutes later they drove into the driveway. Debbie was glad to take the little boy out to the garage to show him the puppy. When the puppy and the boy saw each other, the boy yelled, “Nickie, I found you!” The puppy barked and wagged his tail with delight and licked every part of the boy he could reach. Soon a happy boy and his puppy were on their way home together.

Like the little puppy, there are lost children. But instead of being lost from home, they are lost in sin and do not know which way to turn. But the Lord Jesus loves big and little children and wants to take them in His arms and save them. He says, “The Son of Man [the Lord Jesus] is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11).

When the little boy and the lost puppy found each other, they were happy. When the lost sinner and the seeking Savior meet, how wonderful it is! The Lord Jesus died so that we can have our sins washed away. God will accept us when our sins are gone. He brings us into His house of love, takes care of us and makes us happy. This happiness will go on forever for those who accept Him as their Savior. They will be with Him in His happy home in heaven for eternity.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

MEMORY VERSE: “The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11

ML-12/17/2017

A Kitten in Trouble

When Don drove his car into the auto repair shop, the mechanic asked, “What’s the matter? Need your brakes fixed?”

“No,” answered Don. “I have a cat under my car and I can’t get him out!” And just then they heard a “meow” coming from underneath the car.

“The cat’s been under there ever since I left home earlier this morning. I tried getting him out with a stick, but I think he’s too scared to come out,” remarked Don.

Yes, the little kitten was so scared he didn’t know what to do, so he just cried, “MEOW!” Children, if you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, your danger is far greater than this little kitten’s. We have sinned against the Lord Jesus, and those sins will take us into a lost eternity, unless we cry to Him in faith to save us.

The mechanic raised Don’s car up on the hoist so they could look up under it. And there was the kitty wedged in on top of the gas tank. In no time at all, the mechanic reached up there and rescued the little kitty from his place of danger and set him down on the ground.

This reminds us of Psalm 40:2: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit ... and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” This is exactly what the Lord Jesus did when He suffered and died on Calvary’s cross for each one who will accept Him. Why did He do that? Because He loves us and wants to save us from our awful sinful condition.

Now the little kitty was running around on the garage floor. As they stood talking, the little kitten came and rubbed up against the mechanic’s pant leg and purred as if to say, “Thank you for saving me.”

Boys and girls, have you let the Lord Jesus save you from your sins? Then have you thanked Him for saving you? Oh, how He loves to hear “Thank You” from you and me. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

ML-12/17/2017

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

“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:23-24

Besides the eels that can be eaten, which we looked at last week, there are many other kinds, some of which are large and vicious. Let’s consider three of these marine eels.

Conger eels and moray eels do not migrate. Both are found in warm waters off the coasts of California, Mexico and parts of Europe. Even though some are as long as eight feet, they live their entire lives in crevices of rocks or coral deep in the ocean. They hide there until a victim comes within reach of their jaws, which have strong, sharp teeth. These creatures will attack almost anything that is small enough for them to eat. Underwater divers are often startled by suddenly coming across one of these eels, but they do not bother humans unless irritated.

In spring, the three-foot-long lamprey eels travel from saltwater to freshwater to lay their eggs. A pair swim many miles up mountain streams until shallow water is reached. The male leaves the female and explores the stream bottom. When he finds a suitable spot, he removes stones from the bottom with his sucking mouth and takes them to the shoreline. Soon he has exposed a smooth, sandy bottom where the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. Then they both swim upstream, busily picking up and moving stones around, deliberately stirring up the sand which drifts downstream and covers the eggs.

After hatching, the young eels remain in the stream for four or five years, then swim out to the ocean or a large lake. In their new surroundings, each one seeks out a victim—usually a large fish.

The young eel does not have jaws but has a large sucker mouth, armed with sharp teeth and a rough, cutting tongue. Attaching to the fish’s side with its suction mouth, it uses its sharp teeth and rough tongue to make a wound deep enough for blood to flow. It will remain attached to the fish, sometimes for days, sucking out the blood until the fish dies. Then it finds another victim.

These repulsive creatures remind us of Satan. The Bible warns us to beware, lest “through his subtilty . . . your minds should be corrupted” (2 Corinthians 11:3). It is our sins that make us an easy victim of that evil one, but a gracious God warns us to “flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7) and turn to the Savior who “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him” (Hebrews 7:25).

Do you realize that you are a sinner under Satan’s power, and have you accepted the loving invitation to find a shelter in the Savior?

ML-12/17/2017

Set 1

"Want a Ride?"

We had just enjoyed a wonderful vacation in Alaska. Large, light blue glaciers thrilled us with their icy spikes and deep crevices. Whales splashed their tails and sea otters floated by in the ocean waves. Bear, moose and elk delighted us, and all reminded us of God’s amazing creativity and power!

But now we were on our way home and very, very tired. After this all-night flight, we would have two hours to find our way to the gate of our next and final flight to our home state. However, our plane was delayed pulling into the airline terminal. That was not good news.

Once we finally got off, we had to find our luggage, get it approved with customs, return it to the airline, and go through another security check. Our hearts sank when we saw hundreds and hundreds of other travelers in the customs lines with their heavy loads of luggage! We didn’t see how it was possible to get to our next flight in time!

Boys and girls, we are all taking a journey through this life. Everyone hopes that they will finally make it to heaven at the end. But we each are carrying an invisible, heavy load of sin that we must get rid of. We will not be allowed to pass into God’s beautiful heaven with even one sin! Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

After finally making it through the long, slow customs line, we were back in another security line. I told one of the security officers, “Our flight starts boarding at 6:35 a.m. Do you think we’ll make it in time?” She rolled her eyes and said, “Nope! Don’t think you have a chance, but take the Sky-Way and hurry!”

Our elevator door opened, and to our surprise a man in a motorized cart asked us, “Want a ride with all that luggage?” We told him we needed to take the Sky-Way. He quickly said, “You’ll never make it in time! Hop on. I’ll take you right to your gate!” That was good news, and we threw our luggage and ourselves onto his cart.

Everyone has different ideas about how to get to heaven. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which [seems] right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” But here is good news! Jesus Himself has told us the only right way. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

The cart driver weaved through the crowded airport, and we boarded our plane just in the nick of time! Children, the Lord Jesus died on the cross to take away your load of sins and carry you to His happy home in heaven. But someday His free offer of salvation will end. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior right now, and He will write your name in His book of life! You don’t want to be too late and miss out on heaven!

If you miss out, it’s very, very sad. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

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

ML-12/24/2017

No Brakes!

Those 35 cows were hungry! It was mid-winter in Oregon. Mac was driving an old Army surplus truck to a pea vine pit for a load of feed for the cows. The farmer he worked for had little money left and wanted to make every trip count, so Mac told the operator of the front-end loader at the pit to “heap ‘em up” as he dumped them into the truck. The vines had sat in the pit for a few months now and were wet and heavy. The poor old truck, built to carry 4 tons, was creaking under its load of 14 tons as Mac started back toward home.

After a few miles, he came to a steep hill about two miles long that ended in a sharp curve. The highway had been blasted out of the hillside. Partway down the hill the land rose about 20 feet above the level of the road on either side.

Mac had driven this way quite a few times that winter, and usually he trusted the old truck. But this trip he carried such a heavy load pushing from behind that he could picture himself flying down that hill at 80 or 90 miles an hour and crashing into the huge boulders that were heaped up beside the curve at the bottom! He decided he had better test his brakes.

There were no brakes! He knew the hand brake didn’t work either, and he had already started on his way down the hill!

It’s wonderful to know that we are under the care of a loving Father if we trust in the Lord Jesus, and that we can look to Him for help whenever we need it. Mac needed it now! He prayed. It was then he noticed how the land rose in a little hill beside the highway not far ahead. If he left the road, perhaps the truck would stop as it went up the little hill.

He was already going 40 or 45 MPH as he turned to the right, bounced over the ditch, and started going up the little hill. How relieved he felt to come to a safe stop—and he hadn’t lost a single pea vine!

Thankfully, the brakes weren’t too difficult to fix, and Mac was soon on his way again, thanking the Lord Jesus for keeping him safe and thinking of another hill that had meant eternal safety for him. As we travel along life’s road, each one of us must pass Calvary’s hill. We stop there or we choose to pass by the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for sin and go headlong down to destruction.

If Mac had missed that little hill, there would have been no other place of safety, and he would surely have crashed into the boulders at the bottom. Hell is waiting at the bottom of the broad road that leads to destruction, but God is full of love and mercy. He has sent the Lord Jesus to die in our place. Won’t you stop at the feet of Jesus on Calvary’s hill and accept Him as your Savior? He is the only One who can give you eternal safety!

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

ML-12/24/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beautiful Amber

“Ascribe [give] ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Amber is a beautiful and interesting part of God’s creation. It is a stone-like substance, sometimes clear enough to see through. It most often appears in shades of yellow, where the name “amber” comes from, but sometimes it is brown or even colorless. It looks hard and solid and its irregular shape is smooth. 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. Perhaps you have seen amber in necklaces, bracelets, rings or other ornaments.

Amber was formed from the resin of pine trees that grew in northern Europe hundreds and thousands of years ago. This resin was gummy material mixed with oil in the trees and slowly seeped out of the bark, until its own weight caused it to drop to the ground where it hardened in round, oval, flat or irregular 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, and some is gathered from the sea in nets.

What adds the most value to these gems is that some contain air bubbles or a trapped insect, such as an ant, fly, mosquito or sometimes a spider. Some of the trapped insects are now extinct. These small creatures got trapped in the sticky resin before it hardened and could not get away. They are perfectly preserved and look alive inside the amber jewel.

An interesting fact about these perfectly preserved creatures, now seen hundreds or thousands of years after their entrapment, is that the ones that are not extinct are identical to the living ones we see today. There has been no change in them whatsoever—they are still exactly as the Creator made them.

Sad to say, there are those around us who will not believe in God as the Creator, even with lack of evidence of gradual change. But the Bible, which we can always trust, tells us: “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 we have in knowing and believing the Lord God and His holy Word, enabling us 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 receive Him as your Savior and be with Him in heaven when your life on earth is over. Have you accepted His invitation?

ML-12/24/2017

Our Hurricane Closet

We prepared before the storm,

Boarding up windows and our doors;

“This is the worst one!” we were told;

We prayed and hoped our nails would hold.

Strong, fast winds swirled; tornadoes came!

“Go to your safe room!” news proclaimed;

So in our closet, we did hide . . .

Until the threat passed us on by.

Another storm will come someday;

All should prepare—to Jesus pray:

He is our safe place from this storm—

The only way to heaven’s door.

God punished Him on Calvary;

He loved and died for you and me;

He bore the judgment for our sins;

His precious blood cleans us within.

Come to the Savior and be safe—

He’ll save you by His loving grace:

Believe in Him, for heaven prepare;

He’ll share with us its mansions fair!

ML-12/31/2017

Winter Rescue

Tim was visiting his cousin Stan who lived on a cattle ranch in Montana. Both boys were on their holiday break at the end of the year. His first day there, Tim was shown the new snowmobile that Stan had. “We use it to check cattle . . . and to have fun,” Stan explained, smiling.

And fun they did have. The new snowmobile was a big, powerful machine that could carry the two of them over the rugged winter countryside. They were able to make accurate counts of the cattle, too. Even this was fun, because it meant another ride.

One cold morning the two boys went over to the north pasture to check the cattle there. They stopped and turned off the snowmobile. Then they walked down toward the trees that followed the creek. They found the cattle there in the shelter of the trees. All seemed to be doing fine.

Returning to the snowmobile, they were walking close to the road. Suddenly Tim asked, “What was that?”

“It sounded like a groan coming from over there—where the sharp curve in the road is,” Stan answered, pointing.

As they ran to the road, they could see that part of the fence had been knocked down. Tire tracks went down the bank, and at the bottom they saw a car lying upside down by the creek.

Sliding down the embankment, they found a lady lying on the ground beside the car.

“I wonder if she’s alive,” Tim thought aloud.

“She must be,” answered Stan. “We both heard her groan.”

It was then that the injured lady slowly opened her eyes. “Oh, finally help has arrived,” she said weakly, and then her eyes closed again.

“You stay with her, Tim. I’ll go get help,” said Stan as he climbed back up the bank. Less than two minutes later, Tim heard the roar of the snowmobile starting and moving at full power off into the distance. Now, while Stan is gone getting help, let’s talk about the rescue that each of us needs.

At some point in our lives, each of us must come face to face with our sins and their result—they will keep us out of heaven. The Bible explains that each of us is a sinner, and God cannot accept us with our sins. But if we admit our need to be free of those sins and call to God to save us, He will hear: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way we can be saved. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

Being a sinner, you must have your sins washed away before you can have everlasting life. You may have your own ideas of how you’ll handle your sins, but there is nothing you can do yourself to get rid of them. God says all your honesty and good works “are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The only way to be free from your sins is to believe what the Bible tells us—that the Lord Jesus Christ was punished for sin and that it was His blood shed on the cross that can wash them away. Then, according to Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is what God’s love in providing a Savior can do for you. You are just like the lady in our story. You are helpless and you need someone to rescue you. The Lord Jesus is that One.

Meanwhile, the lady opened her eyes again. “Help is coming soon,” Tim assured her as he tried to keep her hands warm in his.

“The road was icy and it was so late,” she weakly explained, and slowly she told Tim the story. She had been able to get out of the car but could not climb up the bank. “I think my leg is broken,” she said.

Just about then Tim heard the sound of the snowmobile returning. It came right to the top of the bank and stopped. Stan’s father was driving, and Stan was on the back clutching a bundle of blankets. “We’ve called an ambulance,” he said as they worked their way down the bank.

Using the blankets, they wrapped the lady carefully. Within 15 minutes an ambulance from town was there. They put her on a stretcher, and with all of them helping, they were able to get her up the bank and into the ambulance.

“If she had been in the cold any longer, she would have died,” one of the paramedics said. “She will make it now, thanks to you boys.”

We who have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ can say, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Won’t you accept God’s gift and be rescued from your sins and be included with those who have everlasting life?

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

ML-12/31/2017

The Wonders of God's Creation: Bluffing Its Way Through

“The Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all 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 want to scare away a threatening enemy.

The hognose snake, sometimes called a puff adder, is one of these. It may play dead when frightened, just like an opossum does. At other times it inhales more and more air into its body until it 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 white, yellow, black and red bands around it. It is very poisonous, but there are other snakes that look like the coral snake that 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 dinner “escapes” as quickly as possible.

You may have heard of 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 fearsome sounds, its attacker usually changes its mind and makes a quick getaway.

You may think of other interesting examples of the Creator’s provisions for defenseless animals, fish and birds.

Sadly, some people are also pretenders and claim to be wiser than God. Some teach that there is no God or that the Bible is not true. Others say that we will get to heaven just by being good. Many of them teach that the world and all life were not created by God but just “happened to come about.”

Turn away from such wrong teachings and do as King David did when people told him false things. He said, “I esteem all [God’s] precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128).

ML-12/31/2017

Messages of God's Love: 2017

Table of Contents

A Dog Named Samson

The Injured Crow

The Wonders of God's Creation: Swamp-Loving Bitterns

A Feast for Jesus

"Thanks for the Rescue"

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pronghorn

Skating on Thin Ice

Sharing a Lion's Bedroom

The Wonders of God's Creation: Caymans Have No Friends

Where Do You Keep a Loon?

Salvation's Story

The Wonders of God's Creation: Garibaldi Are Tough

Lost in the Atlantic

Following Closely

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Hedgehog

What the Ravens Did

David's Memory Verse

The Wonders of God's Creation: Water-Loving Ibis

What Cricket Found in the Flowers

Anne Didn't Wait

The Wonders of God's Creation: The World's Oldest Living Things

Troy and His Dog Named Bud

The Foolish Flock

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Wallaby From "Down Under" - Part 1

My Broken Arm

The Hole in the Wall

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Wallaby From "Down Under" - Part 2

Food From Heaven

A Child's Trust

The Wonders of God's Creation: Birds of the Cliffs

The Lost Little Girl

One Lost Sheep

The Wonders of God's Creation: Garden Eels and Flying Fish

The Pheasant Chicks New Mom

Who's the Driver?

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Barrel Cactus

Mudsy

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Restless Caribou

Water for a Million People

Have You Noticed?

The Wonders of God's Creation: Decoy Birds

The Report Card

Would You Help a Grasshopper?

The Wonders of God's Creation: Two Oddities of the Ocean

Cricket the Protector!

The Baseball Bat

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Brown Bear

Willie's Homework Paper

"I Am the Way"

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Deadly Cobra

The King Could Not Sleep

The Mt. Kilauea Volcano

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Common Gannet

Attacked by a Mountain Lion!

"Jump Out . . . We'll Catch You!"

The Wonders of God's Creation: Unwelcome Leeches

Zip to the Rescue

I Gave My Key to a Thief

The Wonders of God's Creation: Geckos and Chuckwallas

Dumitru's Scare!

Ace's Hot Day

The Wonders of God's Creation: Hidden Beauty Spots

Mary, Help Me!

"Right Now, Mommy!"

The Wonders of God's Creation: An Outstanding Water Lily

A Coyote in Trouble

Matthew's Important Question

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes

Sue Couldn't Fix It

Saving a Friend

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Water Strider

A Dog Named Kelsey

Flood Rescue

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Plump Wombat

Best Friends

Running Alone

The Wonders of God's Creation: Robins Are Popular

Lessons From a Snapping Turtle