Messages of God's Love: 2025

When Grandma was a young lady, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Of course, she wasn’t called Grandma back then; she was called Miss Smith. The schoolhouse was out in the Canadian countryside. It’s hard to figure out how Grandma, or rather Miss Smith, could teach all eight grades in one room. How could she teach the alphabet to the first graders and algebra to the eighth graders in the same room on the same day? She also stood beside an old wood-burning stove and stirred hot lunches while she taught!

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

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

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

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

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

But wait. This story was supposed to be about when cats and mice lived happily together. It is. Did you know that when God first made furry cats and cute little gray mice, they weren’t enemies? Maybe the cats even had fun playing with the mice. What changed that? The answer is only one word: Sin. Before sin came into this world, every animal lived happily with every other animal. And the two people on earth talked with God every day and never had a single argument or angry word with each other. That would be pretty wonderful, wouldn’t it?

When sin entered the world because those two people disobeyed God, all of that changed. Death entered the world for the first time. Perhaps one of the first things to die was a little gray mouse. People started doing wrong things. They got a sinful nature they didn’t have before that made them afraid. Because they were afraid and sinful, they hid from God and then blamed Him for being the cause of their disobedience. And they started fighting with each other.

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, this is the nature you now have ... a sinful nature that has nothing good in it. You may look good on the outside, but you have wrong thoughts and you do wrong things.

If you do know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you still have that old sinful nature, but you also have a new nature that is just like the Lord Jesus, a nature that God gave you when you believed on Him. So you have a struggle that goes on, like two people are living inside you, fighting ... because that’s exactly what is happening.

The good news is that God did everything that is needed to take care of that old nature, when Jesus died on the cross. He saw that old sinful nature, which is the bad nature in you, dying on that cross, too. It was buried with the Lord Jesus, and now you don’t have to obey it. “He that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:7). Now you have the Spirit of God inside you that is stronger than that old nature, and you can remember that God doesn’t see you in that old nature anymore, but in the perfect Lord Jesus. You no longer have to obey your old sinful nature; you simply need to count on the Lord Jesus to give you the strength to walk in the new nature. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ [lives] in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Memory Verse: “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Messages of God’s Love 1/5/25

Gorillas Can Be Gentle

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

A full-grown gorilla can be six feet tall and weigh 500 pounds. Animals this large with heavy, black fur coats may look threatening, but they can be as gentle as a Shetland pony. People studying gorillas have spent many pleasant days with them in their African forest homeland.

Actually, wild gorillas are rarely seen, as they are shy and disappear quickly when approached. But they are very social with other gorillas. Gorilla families, called troops, ranging from 2 to 50 animals, are led by a dominant adult male called a silverback. He takes care of the troop, making sure it is safe and deciding things like when and where to sleep and eat.

A male gorilla is much stronger than the strongest human, with its massive bones, broad shoulders and long arms. Such big animals need lots of food, and a good part of the day is spent eating. They eat many kinds of plants, including bamboo shoots, tree bark, flowers and fruits. Some species like to eat ants and termites.

Males sometimes thump loudly on their hairy chests. The bigger the male, the louder the thump, so it can be a way of attracting females and warning other males to stay away. It can also be a warning that he is about to attack an intruder, and hopefully avoiding such a conflict. They use other ways of communicating, including screams and laughing. A female may scream if she isn’t happy about something. This alerts the silverback that he needs to check on the situation. He will do his best to defend the troop against any intruder, even if it means dying in the attempt.

Females give birth to one tiny baby, weighing up to four pounds. The baby stays right with its mother for six months, and then it starts exploring the world a bit while staying close to its mother. Eventually it is old enough to enjoy playing with other little ones, climbing and swinging on trees or sliding down tree trunks.

Each night the adults make new nests on the ground or in higher branches of trees, pulling grass and tender branches together, something like a huge bird’s nest.

While gorillas and other apes look something like people, we are not related. The first chapter of Genesis makes it very clear that man was a separate creation from beasts, fish and birds. This is confirmed again in the New Testament, which tells us clearly, “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds” (1 Corinthians 15:39). There are those who try to teach otherwise, but the Word of God is always true.

Did You Know?

A full-grown gorilla can be six feet tall and weigh 500 pounds.

Messages of God’s Love 1/5/25

Saved From Drowning

One year, Daniel, his wife Denise and their four children went on a long trip to several South American countries. Along the way, they welcomed Carla, Pedro, and Raul, three recent high school graduates from Bolivia and Peru, to accompany them to Quito, Ecuador. These teens helped the family distribute gospel calendars and tracts to share the good news of Jesus’ love with others along the way. After a long bus ride, they arrived safely at a friend’s cabin on the Pacific Ocean coast in Ecuador.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, they all walked down to the beach for a Bible study. The weather was hot and humid. The tropical sun shone brightly, making the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean look invitingly cool. The waves were about three feet high. Daniel was used to big waves, as he grew up near the ocean, but he explained to all that no one was to go in the water without him, because this area of the ocean was known for dangerous riptide currents.

Daniel wasn’t feeling very energetic. Denise, knowing how much he enjoyed the ocean, suggested he go out for a swim. Marie volunteered to go with him, and Pedro also wanted to go. Daniel asked him if he knew how to swim in large waves at the ocean. He said he did, so they all went into the ocean.

The water was delightful. After splashing around a bit in the medium-sized waves, a large wave with about a six-foot face was about to break on them, so Daniel said, “Let’s just dive under the wave so it won’t crash on us!”

As soon as they came up from that wave, there was a bigger wave, and they had to go deeper to dive under that one. Suddenly, Daniel realized that a strong riptide current had them in its grip. Pedro began to hang onto him. As Daniel glanced toward the shore, he saw John coming. He called out over the roar of the ocean, “JOHN! NO! GO BACK!” But it was too late. He could not swim back against the powerful current, and it soon carried him to the others. The shore started disappearing as they were swiftly carried out to sea. Daniel explained to Pedro, Marie and John that they were caught in a riptide and needed to swim parallel to the beach and slowly edge toward the shore. Pedro then admitted that he didn’t know how to swim that well.

Now they were in real trouble. Daniel could see their group on the beach for a brief moment when on the crest of a wave, so he waved his hands back and forth vigorously across each other, trying to signal for help. They happily waved back, thinking he was having fun. Unknown to him, Marie was also signaling for help. Their children had been learning sign language and she signed “Help!” by making a fist with one hand, placing it on top of her other flat hand, and then lifting both hands a few inches above the top of the wave before she disappeared down in the trough of the wave again. But no sign of help was to be seen.

They prayed earnestly asking God for His help. Daniel sang the words to the chorus of a comforting song in Spanish:

He will hold me up,

He will hold me up;

For my Savior loves me so,

He will hold me up.

As he was treading water, a terrible thought came to Daniel. If I let go of Pedro, I think I can save my own children. They can swim. If I don’t let go of Pedro, we cannot make it back to shore, and we will probably all drown. He prayed, “Oh, Lord, what should I do?”

John and Marie obeyed his instruction to float, first taking a deep breath, then leaning back and resting and keeping air in their lungs with short little breaths.

After several minutes, Daniel’s strength started failing and for the first time in his life, he thought he was going to die. He told Marie, “I am not going to make it. I cannot continue.”

“Oh Dad, no! Please, keep on! Oh look!” She pointed toward the distant shore. It was then that Daniel saw them ... two young men running toward the ocean with short surf boards.

Unknown to them, Denise had become alarmed to see how quickly they were being pulled out towards the ocean. When she saw Marie signaling for help, she knew there was trouble. Heart pounding, she told the group on the shore she was going for help. She could see a group of people a distance away down the beach and started running, legs feeling like jelly, calling “Auxilio!” (Help!)

As she approached a group gathered in front of the open-air restaurant, she pleaded for someone to help. They all responded that they didn’t know how to swim. She asked if there was a way to send a boat out to help. They pointed to the boisterous waves and replied, “What are you thinking? In those waves?”

At that moment two young men appeared from inside the restaurant, holding two short surf boards, saying they knew how to swim and would try to help. They ran with Denise down the beach.

Out in the waves, Daniel didn’t know where the strength came from, but a little more energy came into his arms and legs to keep treading water in hope that the young men would be able to reach them before it was too late. Because the waves were so big around them, they did not see the rescuers being pushed back repeatedly by the waves as they tried to get through the breakers. It seemed like an eternity before Daniel saw a rescuer coming toward him. He reached out, put his arm over the board, and passed out. He didn’t remember anything else until much later when he seemed to hear voices from a distance, and his daughter Maurita’s little voice asking, “Is Daddy dead yet?”

He opened his eyes. There was a circle of people standing around him, waiting for some response. There was his wife that he loved. There was his family, and there were a lot of other people that walked away, thankful, but not knowing how close four people had been to eternity.

Pedro thought he knew how to swim until he faced those huge waves and a riptide current as well. Do you think you are ready to die and to face God? When we come to die, we need to know for sure that we are ready. The only way to be ready to face God is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. Like Daniel, who would not save himself so he could save Pedro, the Lord Jesus died, not saving Himself, in order to save you. But just as it took a clear call for “help” for those in this story to be saved from dying in the ocean, you need to call on the Lord to save you from your sins. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). He always hears anyone who calls on Him to be saved!

Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/25

Messages of God's Love: The Marvel of Birds' Eggs, Part 1

“I know all the fowls of the mountains.” Psalm 50:11

There are over 11,000 known species of birds in the world, making up many millions that are active every day. In springtime millions of birds’ eggs are in nests throughout the world in a great variety of sizes, shapes, colors and markings. The smallest (the size of a coffee bean) are those of a hummingbird, and the largest are those of an ostrich, 24 times as large as a chicken’s egg!

Each part of an egg is important. A substance called albumen (egg white) surrounds the yolk, and the shell holds it all together. The yolk provides protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water for the almost-invisible cell that will eventually become a bird, and albumen provides more water, protein and minerals. But all of this would do no good if the developing bird couldn’t get oxygen or get rid of the deadly carbon dioxide given off with every breath.

How can all of this take place when the new life is completely surrounded by a shell? The Creator has wisely designed the shell with tiny holes (pores) that can only be seen with a microscope, but which allow air to enter and carbon dioxide to leave. The shell also gives off part of its own calcium which supplies most of the calcium needs of its tiny resident. An extra supply of air is also stored in a special area at the end of the egg where the chick’s head will form and, using its special “egg tooth,” will break out of the shell. This takes lots of energy, and without the extra air supply the little chick would never make it. So you see, an egg is a wonderful design by the Creator.

The body of the mother or father bird sitting on the eggs gives just the right amount of warmth to help the little bird develop. While sitting on the nest, a God-given instinct tells the parent to turn each egg over from time to time so that the yolk stays centered and the developing chick gets the oxygen and nutrients needed.

Scientists can study eggs and the way they are formed, but they can’t understand how all this came about, unless they believe that it was God who created all things. God’s book, the Bible, tells us, “God [has] chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). A child who believes in God knows more about the origin of all things than the smartest scientist who refuses to acknowledge God as the Creator. I hope you are wise and believe that God is the Creator. Knowing that He made you means that you have a special reason for being alive. Knowing He loves you and wants you to be His child forever means you are precious to Him.

(to be continued)

Did You Know?

An ostrich egg is 24 times larger than a chicken egg.

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/25

How Ann the Lifeguard Was Saved

Ann was a lifeguard. She knew how to save people’s lives, but this story tells about how God saved her.

Ann believed in God. She never doubted that He was there — somewhere. But she didn’t know Him. Sometimes she read the Bible, but when she came to a part she didn’t understand, she lost interest and quit reading. She felt empty, but she had no idea why. When she told her friends how she felt, they would look at her like she was a bit strange. They didn’t seem to care that they didn’t know God. Ann didn’t know it then, but God says, “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8:17). She couldn’t say she loved God, because she didn’t know Him, but in her own way she was seeking Him. God knew that and guided her to find Him.

Ann had a picture on her bedroom wall that was supposed to be Jesus when He was a boy. She was proud of that picture. It made her feel religious. But one day as she studied the picture she thought, This is a picture of God’s Son and I don’t even know Him! So she prayed: God, please help me to get to know Your Son.

That summer Ann worked as a lifeguard at the swimming pool. One day a friendly lady brought her children to swim. She began to talk with Ann when she was off duty, and she seemed interested in her. Ann began to tell her how frustrated she felt because she hadn’t been able to get to know God or His Son.

“Just a minute,” she said. “I’ll be right back.” She left, but soon came back with a New Testament. She showed Ann places to read in the Bible. Ann took the Bible home. The more she read, the more she liked it.

The next few days were wet and cold. The pool was open, but few people came to swim, so Ann had many quiet hours to read the Bible. By the time there was another sunny day, she had read most of the way through the New Testament.

When the weather turned warm again, the lady who had given Ann the New Testament came to the pool with her children. She and Ann talked about Jesus, God’s Son. A few days later she invited Ann to go with her to hear preaching about the Lord Jesus. As she listened, God opened Ann’s understanding. She saw that Jesus had died for her. He had made Himself responsible for her sins. She was free! Forgiven! Because He had risen from the dead, Ann would rise too! She bubbled over with happiness. God had answered her prayer. Now Ann knew He loved her. She knew His Son, because He was now her Savior. She finally had the peace she had been
looking for.

What about you? Do you sometimes feel empty like Ann did? When the Lord Jesus walked on this earth, He met a thirsty woman one day. She was at a well to get water. But she had a much greater thirst in her heart ... an emptiness like Ann had. The Lord Jesus told her, “[Whoever drinks] 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). This lady had done some bad sins, but that didn’t stop the Lord Jesus from loving her and wanting her to have her inner thirst truly satisfied. She came to know Him as the One who knew her and loved her anyway, and that is just how He is for you, too. He knows all about us, and yet He came to die in order to be able to save us. I hope you will believe on Him to save you from your sins and that you find the true joy that is found only in the Lord Jesus.

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

Messages of God’s Love 1/19/25

Forgiveness

One fall evening four neighbor children arrived at the Grays’ house to jump on the trampoline. They were hoping to jump as long as possible before going home to do schoolwork.

Neighbor children were always welcome to use the Grays’ trampoline, but there were three rules they were supposed to follow.

1. Don’t chew gum or eat candy when
jumping.

2. Never go under the trampoline.

3. Only three children may jump at one time (unless they are very small).

This last rule seemed to be the hardest for the children to obey. On this particular evening, all four children wanted to jump together, so they did. It was great fun for a while, with each child trying to jump higher than the others. But the weight of four children made one of the springs on the trampoline snap and fly off. Suddenly the fun was over.

The children had a decision to make. Should they go to the house and confess that they had broken the trampoline because they had disobeyed a rule, or should they make up a story about how it got broken? They decided to do the right thing.

The four timidly went to the door and knocked. When the Grays opened the door, the children showed them the broken spring and told the Grays that all four of them had been jumping on the trampoline together. Then they offered to pay to have it fixed.

The Grays were so glad they came to tell the truth about what they had done. They were also happy to forgive them and told them that they did not have to pay for the broken spring. The Grays loved the children and were happy to pay for the broken spring themselves.

This is a little picture of how much God loves us and wants to forgive us. We are all sinners who have done wrong things and deserve God’s judgment. Only, unlike those children, we could never even begin to pay for our sins. But the Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus “was wounded for our transgressions [the disobedient things we have done], He was bruised for our iniquities [our sins]: the chastisement [punishment] of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). God loved us so much that He sent His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to pay the price for all the wrong things we have done. Now, if we admit to God that we are sinners and believe that Jesus died to pay for our sins, He forgives us for all the wrong things we have done, because Jesus already paid for them. Have you believed this
wonderful love?

Messages of God’s Love 1/19/25

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marvel of Bird's Eggs, Part 2

“Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: [you] are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

Among the millions of eggs in birds’ nests throughout the world, there is a wide range of colors and markings — from pure white to pink, brown, blue, green, yellow and even black.

One reason the Lord made eggs all of these different colors is so they match their surroundings and can’t be easily seen. For instance, those of many desert birds match the color of the sand, rocks or brush around them.

Eggs of burrowing owls, woodpeckers, kingfishers and other burrowing birds are safely hidden, and they are always white, so the parents can easily see them in their dark homes. But plovers nest on sandy or rocky ground out in the open. How can that be safe? The answer is that their eggs are covered with markings that blend amazingly well with the sand, grass or gravel on which the nests rest.

On the eggs of some seabirds that make their homes on rocky cliffs without using a nest, the Creator has made a special difference to how most eggs of a species are the same color. In a small, crowded space where eggs laid by many birds of the same kind lie almost next to each other on the bare rock, the color of each bird’s eggs is often different from those of its neighbors. Scientists think this is so the parent bird can find its own egg among all the others.

There seem to be good reasons for different colors, and not all of those are about camouflage. Robin eggs are a beautiful, rather bright blue, for example. It is thought that the blue protects the developing chick from the sun’s dangerous UV rays. The brightest blues seems to be the sign of a healthier mother to the male, and male robins seem to help raise such chicks more. While brighter colors might seem to invite predators, it has been discovered that often in species with brighter eggs, the parents do a good job of staying on the eggs to protect them.

Different egg shapes are also interesting. Many seashore birds, such as those already mentioned that lay their eggs on the bare ledge of a cliff, have eggs that are pointed on one end and much larger on the other end. If they are bumped, they won’t roll over the edge but just spin around in a circle.

We can see that birds’ eggs are another proof of the wisdom of the Creator. These small details in nature should assure us that the Lord will take care of everything that concerns us. As our opening verse says, we are of much more value to Him than many sparrows. He knows what happens to every sparrow. How much more does He know and care about what happens to us?

Did You Know?

Bird egg colors and markings can range from pure white to pink, brown, blue, green, yellow and even black.

Messages of God’s Love 1/19/25

Thirsty

Many years ago, a young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Scott, moved to Africa to share the good news of God’s salvation in the Lord Jesus with those who had never heard. Many interesting and difficult things happened to them in their life in Africa.

In those days, malaria, a disease caused by mosquitoes, was a common problem in Africa, as it is now. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had gotten malaria many times. They were both getting weaker and weaker. They needed some good food to build up their strength, and they decided milk would help. The only way to get milk was to buy a cow.

About 50 miles from their home were some villages where there were more cows than anywhere close to them. Mr. Scott decided to go there to share the gospel and to try to buy a couple
of cows.

He asked some travelers who had recently returned from that area if there was any water on the trail, and they said there was a little about halfway across the wilderness. He chose five men to go with him on his journey. Taking all the camping things and food they would need for the journey and several water flasks, the six men started walking, hoping to reach the water they had heard about by that night.

The sun was hot as they traveled, and Mr. Scott’s small water bottle was empty before the afternoon. When the sun set, they were still not to the place where they expected to find the water. They started walking faster and, just as it got dark, they arrived at the place.

What a disappointment! Instead of water, there was only mud. Many footprints of wild animals showed that there had been water there, and there was still a little fluid in the center of the pool. One of the men took a cloth and spread it down on the muddy liquid. He lay down on his face, put his lips against the cloth, and was able to suck up a little water. The other men also did this, but Mr. Scott could not make himself do it.

Since it was dark, they needed to find a place to sleep safely. There were no flashlights in those days, but by feeling around, they found a patch of thick bushes. Making a path into this patch, they made a fire at the entrance to keep the lions out. Very tired and extremely thirsty, they lay down to rest. Eventually, they fell asleep and forgot how thirsty they were for a little while. About the middle of the night, they woke up hearing a lion jump on an animal close to where they were. They heard them struggle for a while, and then everything got quiet, and once more they fell asleep.

When morning came, feeling a little better, they started walking again. As they went, Mr. Scott found some dewdrops on leaves, and this slightly helped his thirst. But when the sun got higher, he became very weak, and finally, he could not keep walking. First, the others cut down a pole in the forest and tied his blanket to it like a hammock, so they could carry him. But they were also weak from thirst, and before long, they collapsed. Mr. Scott realized that something must be done quickly, or they would all die. Praying to God for guidance, he and the men talked things over.

They had already come 30 miles from their station, so going back was impossible. They still had 20 miles to go to get to more water. So, it was decided that two of the strongest men would take the water containers and start walking as quickly as they could to reach the water. After drinking what they needed, they would fill the others’ bottles and come back. The rest of the group would keep walking slowly to meet them.

The two men left. After resting, the others got up and went on slowly together, but they could only go about 500 or 600 yards. After resting, they went another few hundred yards. Slowly, they made some progress, until the sun was high in the heavens, burning hot. As the hours passed, their thirst became more extreme. Mr. Scott’s tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, making it hard for him to talk. Eventually he could not go more than about 100 yards at a time, and only if one of the men helped him. Finally, he realized that he could go no further. To the friend who had stayed close by his side, he said as plainly as he could, “Sudi, I can go no further. If the men do not bring water here, I will die.” He threw himself down under the partial shade of a huge baobab tree and prayed to God for one drop of rain to cool his feverish body.

While he was praying, a little cloud appeared in the sky. Carried by a God-directed wind, it came directly to where he was lying, and instantly a few big drops fell. The drops increased until there was a little shower of rain. He opened his mouth and opened his shirt to catch the precious water. In about five minutes or less the rain stopped, but Mr. Scott felt much better. He got up and was able to go on slowly all afternoon until sundown, when they met the two men who were carrying the water containers. What a relief! Water at last!

The next day, they were able to reach the village belonging to the chief of the area, and they were able to share the good news of the gospel with them. Afterward, the chief kindly sold them two cows with calves.

Have you ever been really thirsty? Most of us can hardly imagine what it would be like not to have water available to drink when we are thirsty. Sadly, there is coming a time when those who don’t believe in the Lord Jesus will go to hell, where they will burn in a fire that will never stop, and there will be no water forever and ever. Hell is a terrible place and God doesn’t want to send anyone there, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). But it is also true that “God is light” (1 John 1:5). That means that He is holy. Because He is holy, no sin can come into His presence in heaven. We have all sinned, so how can anyone go to heaven and not go to the terrible place called hell? The good news is that God has made the way. In His great love, He sent His precious Son, the Lord Jesus, to earth. One terrible day, Jesus was nailed to a cross. The sun got dark for three hours, and God put all the sins of those who would believe on Him upon His holy Son, and God punished Him for those sins. Jesus paid the price we could never pay. Now God offers free salvation to everyone who is willing to admit that they have sinned and trust in the Lord Jesus to save them. Have you done that?

Memory Verse: “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” “God is love.” 1 John 1:5; 4:8

Messages of God’s Love 1/26/25

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marvel of Bird's Nests

“[Yes], the sparrow [has] found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young.” Psalm 84:3

We have been looking at birds’ eggs and some of the unusual nests built by birds in various parts of the world. With most nesting birds, the female picks the spot and starts to build the nest by herself. The male bird may help by bringing material she needs. In some species, male and female work together, while in others, the male builds the nest as part of trying to win a mate. If a female accepts him, she might add more material to the nest.

Some birds do not make nests. In last week’s article we looked at the seabirds that lay their eggs on bare rocks. Others, like the royal tern, just make a slight bowl-shaped spot in the sand where one egg is laid. We have also learned about birds like the European cuckoo that are too lazy to build their own nest and raise their own young. These mothers lay their egg in another bird’s nest for that mother to take care of.

By contrast, perhaps the softest nest of all is made by the eider duck in some of the coldest shorelines of the world. The mother duck pulls enough down from her own body to make a soft, warm, comfortable lining for her eggs and the ducklings that will eventually hatch.

The Lord has given wisdom to most birds to build a nest in a way suitable to its surroundings. One bird that builds a huge nest is the dusky scrubfowl of Indonesia. Its nest is a mound made of earth mixed with leaves, sticks, sand and gravel, and it can measure as large as 36 feet wide by 16 feet tall. This plain-looking but industrious bird is only 16 inches long. Interestingly, their chicks hatch completely ready to live on their own. Some of the species are even able to fly the day they hatch.

We can learn some good lessons from the birds. For example, which mother bird do you admire more ... the cuckoo, which is too lazy to care for its own chicks, or the eider duck, which pulls off its own feathers to provide cozy warmth for its chicks? I think most of us would admire the eider duck over the cuckoo. The Lord gives us a picture in these two birds of two kinds of people: those who are lazy and selfish, who let other people (perhaps their parents) do the work they should do, and those who are willing to give everything they can to help and serve others. The Lord came to give His life to save us, and He wants us to follow in His steps, living like He lived, and learning to give of ourselves for the good of others. Are you like a cuckoo or an eider? “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that [you] should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Did You Know?

The eider duck pulls off its own feathers to build its nest.

Messages of God’s Love 1/26/25

The Princess Sophia

Any month of the year, cold winds can blow along the rocky, barren coasts of Alaska, churning the sea into towering waves. By October, winter has already begun with its deadly cold and fierce storms. It was in October of 1918 that the ship, The Princess Sophia, left Skagway, Alaska, with close to 300 people on board, headed for the warmer port of Seattle, Washington.

At 10:00 p.m. the ship pulled away from the lights of Skagway. Captain Locke, a captain of many years, stood at the helm. In order to reach the open sea, The Princess Sophia would have to pass through the Lynn Canal. The weather was usually poor in this area, and as the ship entered the region, it ran into a blinding snowstorm. The captain, feeling sure of his decision, ordered the ship to sail ahead at normal speed. He did not know that this decision would result in one of the largest maritime disasters of the northwest Pacific coast.

The Princess Sophia was a comfortable ship and most of the passengers were sound asleep in their berths. At 3:00 a.m. they were suddenly awakened by a tremendous jolt! At full speed, the ship had struck an underwater part of the Vanderbilt Reef. Its steel hull was jammed between two submerged rocks.

The captain sent some of his crew to investigate the damage done to the ship. Fortunately, the double-plated hull had not been pierced and there were no leaks. However, the ship was not able to pull itself off the rocks.

Sensing their danger, several passengers put on life jackets. Captain Locke sent out a call for help over the wireless telegraph, requesting all ships in the region to come help. By morning several rescue ships had reached the area where the passenger ship was stuck on the rocks.

One of the ships, named The Cedar, was commanded by Captain Leadbetter. Standing on the pitching deck of his small ship, he shouted through a megaphone to the ship in distress, “Do you want to transfer passengers from your ship to my ship?”

Captain Locke studied the heavy seas which he could see would make the transfer difficult. He didn’t think his ship was in any immediate danger, so he called back, “No, we will wait for more favorable weather.”

Favorable weather did not come. The winds became stronger, driving waves into The Princess Sophia. All hope of transferring any passengers disappeared as the storm grew worse. No one knew that there would not be another opportunity to escape.

The rescue ships circled the stranded The Princess Sophia for a day and a night. They anxiously watched for a break in the weather so that they could transfer the passengers. By the second day the storm had grown so bad that the rescue ships had to protect themselves from the fierceness of the wind by finding shelter behind various islands. Around 5:00 p.m. they received an urgent message over the telegraph from Captain Locke that pleaded for their immediate help. The rescue ships steamed out to see what they could do, but they could not even find The Princess Sophia in the blinding storm.

The next day at dawn they found the broken mast jutting out of the water where the ship had been grounded. A black film of fuel oil covered the area. Apparently, the ship had broken in half from the constant pounding of the waves. The ship and all the people on board were lost. Not one person escaped.

This sad story should make us stop and think that we never know when a day might be the last day of our life. The captain of The Princess Sophia did not mean to put everyone on his ship in danger, nor did he mean to wait too long to have everyone rescued. But his waiting meant the end of life for everyone on his ship. Are you still waiting to get saved? I hope not. The Bible tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). God, who is all-wise and who loves us so much, knows that if we wait until tomorrow to be saved, tomorrow may never come for us.

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

Messages of God’s Love 2/2/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Four Unusual Frogs

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21

One of the first signs of spring in North America is a chorus of peeping from ponds and marshes, announcing that the little peeper frogs are coming out of their winter hibernation. Peepers come out soon after ice melts on the wetlands. The males appear first, soon followed by the females that have been attracted by their pretty song. Tiny tadpoles soon hatch from eggs laid in great numbers in the water. The tadpoles take most of the summer to change into mature frogs.

The coqui frog of Puerto Rico is common in that country. Their name comes from their call, which sounds like “co-kee.” The coqui frog lays its eggs on the land in plants rather than in water. The male collects up the eggs and keeps them safely in a nest, going into the water at times to gather moisture in his skin to keep the eggs moist. The eggs hatch as tiny froglets with a short tail instead of as tadpoles.

Ecuador is the home of several pouched frogs. The female Andes marsupial frog has a pouch on her back where her male companion tucks in the ten or so large eggs she has laid. Here the eggs develop into juvenile frogs. After three to four months, fully developed froglets leave their safe home to hop away and start life on their own.

Small and colorful poison dart frogs are also found in South America. The poison that comes from their skin is strong enough to kill several humans. (Those in zoos eat different diets, so they aren’t poisonous.) Brightly-colored skin warns predators that these frogs are poisonous. Probably because they don’t have many enemies, they are active during the day, unlike most frogs. The eggs of these little frogs are laid on the forest floor. The male guards them until they hatch into tadpoles, and then he carries them on his back to what he considers a good water source. This is not necessarily the closest pond or stream, but sometimes up to a third of a mile away — quite a journey for a tiny frog with a burden on his back. A very strong pain killer comes from poison dart frogs, so they can be used both to kill or to help heal.

This reminds me of our tongues. As our opening verse says, both death and life are in the power of the tongue. When you look at your tongue, you won’t see any sign of poison, but it spills out what is in our hearts, and sometimes that can bring death ... the death of a friendship, among other things. But life is also in the power of the tongue. We can use our tongues to let people know how much God loves them, or to encourage or help them to grow in the Lord. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, He will help you use your tongue for life, not death.

Did You Know?

A very strong pain killer comes from poison dart frogs.

Messages of God’s Love 2/2/2025

A Urgent Message

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

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

“Mommy!” Micah said again. “The dogs are eating money!”

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

But Micah kept insisting that the dogs were eating money.

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

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

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

“Daddy, the dogs ... ” began Micah again.

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

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

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

“Where’s my money?” he asked.

“What money?” asked
Micah’s dad.

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

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

If you are not saved from your sins, there is a very urgent message for you right now. The Bible says, “Prepare to meet [your] God” (Amos 4:12). Every one of us will one day meet God. The Bible tells us about this: “I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: ... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-12,15). Is your name written in the book of life? It can be. God’s Word says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If you believe God and have been washed clean from your sins, they are gone forever, and your name is in the book of life. Then, when you stand before God, you won’t have any sins on you, because Jesus took care of that for you when He suffered for your sins.

God cannot lie, and He is worthy to be believed by everyone. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Have you believed God’s
urgent message?

Memory Verse: “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/2025

Changed by Love

When the preacher Dwight L. Moody, was a boy, he went to a school in New England, where there was a quick-tempered teacher who ruled the school by “law.” He always had a stick, and his way to keep order was, “If you don’t do what I tell you, I’ll punish you.”

Moody remembered many times when that stick was used on his back. But then, somebody began to talk about a new way to control the school ... by love. Many people said, “You can never do that with those rowdy, disobedient boys,” but eventually they decided to try it. Moody remembered how the boys thought of what a good time they would have that winter when the stick would no longer be used. They thought that now they would have all the fun
they wanted.

Moody remembered the new teacher well. It was a lady, and she opened the school day with prayer. The boys hadn’t seen that done before and they were impressed, especially when she prayed that she would have the grace and strength to rule the school with love.

The school went on for several weeks and no one got punished with the stick. Moody thought he was the first boy to break the rules one day. The teacher told him to stay after school and she would talk with him. He thought the stick would finally come out, and he acted like he was ready for a fight.

But what a surprise! After school Moody didn’t see the stick. Instead, the teacher sat down by him and told him how she loved him and how she had prayed to be able to rule that school by love. She ended by saying, “I want to ask you one favor — that is, if you love me, try and be a good boy.”

Moody never gave her trouble again. She had put him
under grace.

This story is a beautiful picture of how the Lord is toward us. God is love, and He wants us all to love Him. He puts us under grace, so we obey Him because we love Him, and not under law with the threat of punishment. “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for [you] are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Romans 6:14-15).

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Spittlebugs or Froghoppers

“God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ... that no flesh [person] should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:27,29

There are millions of insects in the world. Some are so small they can only be seen with a microscope, but in some way each one has its part in keeping nature in balance, even though it is hard to see how some which seem harmful can be useful. One insect called the spittlebug, or froghopper, is an example of this. Some spittlebugs cause little damage to the plants they feed on, but other kinds cause serious damage.

Have you ever seen globs of white froth on grass stems or plants in your yard? The next time you see one, open the mass of bubbles and you will find a little nymph clinging tightly to the stem, sucking juice from it.

That mass of bubbles is the watery remains of plant sap that the nymph sucks from the plant mixed with other things from the nymph’s body. They use a weaker form of sap from the plant than most insects that feed on plants, so there is a lot of excess water. Special bacteria in their digestive system helps them survive on this lower-nutrient food. The Lord has given these little creatures special breathing tubes that make it possible for them to breathe in their watery home.

The Creator gave them their frothy surrounding as a way to protect themselves from heat, cold and dehydration, as well as from other insects and birds that would happily eat them. The sticky froth hides them and its bitter taste also helps stop predators.

When the nymphs are fully grown, they stop making the bubbly foam. The nymphs have become flat, hopping insects of different colors about half an inch long, called froghoppers. They got this name because they have impressive jumping abilities, even more than fleas. They jump from plant to plant, up to 28 inches upward and over 100 times their own length. If you could do this and are five feet tall, it would mean that you could jump 500 feet!

These little insects show how weak we are, because people can’t control them in spite of trying hard to do so. We know that even though some spittlebugs are very destructive, God has created them for a purpose, which perhaps only He can understand. If we are humble, we will admit that there are things only God can understand. We aren’t wise enough to understand everything God does, or He wouldn’t be God!

God is never pleased with proud ways, but He cares very much for us. He tells us to “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He [cares] for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). Do you know His care?

Did You Know?

Spittlebugs can jump up to 28 inches upward and over 100 times their own length.

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/2025

Kim: A Story of Forgiveness

During the Vietnam war, an attack was made on a little village in South Vietnam 25 miles north of Saigon. Nine-year-old Kim and her family lived in this village, and with other villagers and soldiers, Kim and her family had hidden in a temple.

When Allied troops heard of the attack and that the enemy had taken over the village, they ordered a counterattack on the village. As a precaution, the attacking Allied general asked, “Are there any villagers there?” The answer was, “All the villagers have fled.” He asked again, “Are there ANY villagers there?” The answer again was that there were none left in the village, and so he issued the order to attack. Kim and her family’s hiding place was no longer a place of refuge — it was a deathtrap.

Those hiding in the temple heard the roar of the Allied planes and realized that they were no longer safe. As the planes came closer and closer, they started to run — and then the bombs rained on the village.

Kim, her brothers and others were running down the road when the bombs hit. Two of her cousins were killed instantly, and the heat wave from the dropping bombs burned the clothes right off Kim’s back. She screamed, “Too hot! Too hot!” As she ran, hurt and terrified, a man with a camera snapped a picture that took in the whole burning village with Kim in the middle, running. He cared enough about her that he put his camera gear down and took her and other children to the hospital and insisted that Kim be taken care of before she died.

Overnight, the picture became famous. It appeared in newsmagazines and newspapers around the world. Millions of people saw the heartrending picture of Kim running in terror from her burning village.

Back in Saigon, Kim was hospitalized for months with the awful burns on her back and arms. She slowly recovered enough to leave the hospital and eventually grew up to become a young lady in South Vietnam.

Kim was very depressed because her burns caused her constant pain, and she no longer wanted to live. She was also consumed with bitterness about what had happened to her. But then she found a New Testament in a library in Vietnam and learned about the salvation made by the Lord Jesus Christ. She learned that Jesus loved her and died to forgive her sins, and that she could be forgiven if she would simply believe on Him. Kim believed and became a forgiven child of God. After this, she began to pray for those who had caused her pain, and she realized that she loved them. Even though she still suffered pain and other physical problems, she was free from bitterness, because she had forgiven her enemies.

Eventually, she got married, and she and her husband escaped as refugees to Newfoundland, Canada. People knew about the war picture, and Kim was asked to speak in many places. When she spoke, Kim would tell how Christ had forgiven her for her sins.

The man who helped coordinate the attack on her village was still alive. The day after the attack he had seen the heartbreaking picture of Kim in the paper and he felt very troubled over his part in her sufferings. The picture haunted him even in his sleep. He became an alcoholic and had a rough life. Some years later, this man also heard the gospel of God’s love and forgiveness of sins. Deeply feeling his need of forgiveness, he accepted God’s gift of salvation. He eventually started serving the Lord full time, but he could never forget the picture of Kim.

One summer this man heard that Kim was going to New York City to speak to a group of Vietnam veterans. He decided to travel there to see Kim. When she finished talking, he followed her from the large room. She turned and they were able to talk for the first time. He sobbed as he told her he was so sorry, and she opened her arms to embrace him and told him, “It’s all right, I forgive, I forgive.” She had been forgiven herself by a forgiving God, and now she was willing to forgive others. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). After this, the man stopped having nightmares about that scene that had haunted his life ever since the attack.

Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ to have your sins forgiven? It’s just as simple as what that man did after hearing Kim speak. The man went to her, told her who he was, and received her forgiveness. The Lord Jesus not only loves you, He died for you so that He can offer you forgiveness for all your sins. You simply need to come to Him in prayer, tell Him you are a sinner and that you believe that He died to pay for your sins. His promise to you is, “I will forgive [your] iniquity, and I will remember [your] sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

You may have His forgiveness right now. “Be it known unto you ... that through this Man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38).

Memory Verse: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Life-Saving Instincts

“Be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create.” Isaiah 65:18

Every creature has God-given instincts which help it to survive and prosper even in difficult conditions. These instincts are already there when the creature is born and are not something that has to be learned, although the instincts grow stronger as they are used. Evidence of this is perhaps more noticeable in birds, fish, animals and insects than in other living things, but all living things have been well supplied with instincts by the Creator, according to their particular conditions of life.

One of the most outstanding examples of instincts is the migration of birds, which we have explored in past issues. The lovely monarch butterfly is another example. The adults fly north each summer from Mexico into the southern United States. They lay eggs, and the next generation then migrates farther north to live and lays their eggs. The next generation also lays eggs. The next generation is the fourth, and they are often called the “super generation.” As the following winter approaches, this fourth generation, which have never been beyond the place of their birth, migrate south to Mexico in huge numbers to the very trees that their great-great-great-grandparents left months earlier.

We could also look at the huge distances that whales migrate, or the long travels each year of caribou, antelope, yaks, gnu, salmon, eels and other creatures throughout the world. All these migrations, and many, many others, are guided by God-given instincts and repeated by each new generation. The most intensive study of researchers cannot explain how these migrations can take place so accurately, but all we need to know is that they are part of God’s creation, and He has given these creatures the instincts that bring about their travels.

Wild animals have been given an instinct to avoid poisonous things, such as certain mushrooms, berries and roots. A deer, for instance, will eat leaves from bushes all around an oleander bush, but instinct tells it to leave that poisonous bush alone. Humans do not need this instinct since we can be taught what is poisonous, because God has given us the intelligence for this. His perfect provisions for all His creatures, including humans, are another reminder for us of how good God is. “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 33:5). I hope you will spend some time today looking around for more evidences of the goodness (or loving-kindness) of the Lord. Even in the winter, there are beautiful things and many proofs of His goodness and kind love to see, if we only look for them.

Did You Know?

Deer eat leaves from bushes all around an oleander bush, but instinct tells it to leave that poisonous bush alone.

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/2025

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Rose was having fun with her cousins at her grandparents’ house. It was a birthday party and she was full from lots of delicious ice cream. She decided that now she would go outside and play on a special wooden play set her grandparents had that was built around a big tree. She explored the play set, noticing the rope ladder that went up the tree to a lookout. That was “just for the boys” — so she climbed a wooden ladder instead. Once up on the platform, there wasn’t much to do, so she explored under the platform, tried out some new swings, and then headed for her favorite pine tree.

Now this was something to climb! She climbed higher and higher, getting sap all over herself, but not caring because she loved to climb! When she was about 10 feet off the ground, she needed a rest, so she stopped to shout at her uncles and grandpa to let them know how high she was. Then she went on ... higher ... and higher ... and higher. The branches were getting farther and farther apart, so she decided she really should go back down, when suddenly ... she lost her footing. She hung on tightly with her hands, but then her hands slipped, and she was falling! Flailing her arms and legs, she fell back through the branches she had just so happily climbed. Finally, the lowest branch stopped her fall and she landed, straddling it. It hurt a lot!

Rose may not have been proud of her tree-climbing, but she reminds me of how a lot of us act. We like to “show off” when we have done something we think is special. We want other people to notice us and to think we are special too!

Proverbs 16:18 tells us, “Pride [goes] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is something God hates, so we can be glad when He lets us know when we are proud, and we can confess it to Him and
be forgiven.

Memory Verse: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Comical Puffin

“Hast thou not heard, that ... the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, [faints] not, neither is weary?” Isaiah 40:28

The colorful bird called the puffin lives in the Arctic waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It’s a cute but comical-looking little bird with its big, bright, red and black bill. Its white, puffy face is topped with a black cap. Add to this a body with a black collar and cape and stubby, orange legs and feet, and you have a very special looking bird!

The puffin is an expert swimmer and diver and is skillful at catching the fish it eats. Its beak can hold several fish crosswise while chasing and catching others. How does it do this? It has a raspy tongue and special spikes on the roof of its mouth that spear the fish and hold them firmly. They usually catch at least ten fish during each dive.

Puffins are fast fliers, flying up to 55 miles an hour! To do this, they flap their wings up to 400 beats a minute. But they typically only fly when they can see the ocean. That is their point of reference and the place where they collect their food. They are poor landers, often crashing into the ocean or rolling in the grass into any other puffin in the way!

Puffins are social creatures and nest in large colonies. One kind of puffin nests in burrows. Others build nests on cliffs where the female lays one white egg which both parents take turns incubating for six weeks. They often have burrows as well, for protecting their little chicks. Puffins keep the same mate for life.

While the chick is in the nest, it is fed a diet of fish. The parents feed their chick for 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how much fish is available. When it is large enough, the young bird goes to the edge of the cliff one night and flies straight out to sea, where it stays for two to five years. During this time, it fishes for its own food and matures into an adult. Then when it is old enough to have its own mate and chicks, it returns to the colony where it was hatched to continue the cycle of life. Puffins only return to land to have their young. While out at sea, puffins are very quiet, though they are quite chatty on land.

These cute birds give us a good example of the normal life of a family, like God created it to be in His goodness ... two parents staying together as long as they live and taking good care of their little chick. Many children never experience a stable and happy home life. If you do, are you thankful? And if you don’t, I hope you know the Lord Jesus, who created each of us and loves each with a special love. He is always ready and strong to take care of you. As our opening verse says, the Lord does not faint or grow weary. We are never so old that we don’t need His care.

Did You Know?

Puffins are poor landers, often crashing into the ocean or rolling in the grass into other puffins!

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/2025

Please Put on Your Crown!

When you get dressed today, boys and girls, don’t forget to wear your crown! Or did you think that crowns were only for kings and queens? Certainly kings and queens do wear crowns, but there are other kinds of crowns too, and some of them can be for you.

Some of the first crowns ever made were not of silver or gold at all. They were made of leaves and flowers and given to the winners of races in the early Olympics, or to some who won poetry contests. Of course, these crowns wilted and faded, but at the time, the winners considered them to be a special prize.

When Queen Victoria was to be crowned, she was only 18 years old and she was too small to be able to wear the heavy crown that was usually worn at coronations. So they made a new crown for her that had 2,783 diamonds, 277 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies ... 3093 jewels in all. Even with all those jewels, it was lighter than the other crown.

The late Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, had a crown made of silver and decorated with many jewels, like the Koh-i-noor diamond which is one of the most famous diamonds in the whole world. But the crown is so heavy and uncomfortable that they had to line it with fur, and even then the Queen could not wear it for very long. Most of the time it just sat in a heavy glass case with guards around it. When the Lord Jesus comes back to rule the world and the earth and heaven flee away before the face of Him that sits on the throne, this valuable crown will be worth nothing.

None of these crowns are for you and me. But we can have crowns worth much more than any earthly crown. The Bible tells us about those crowns. One of them, called the “crown of life,” is for those who have been faithful to the Lord Jesus all the way to dying for Him. This same crown is also for those who endure temptations. That is something all of us can do ... not give in when we are tempted to do the wrong thing. Then there is a “crown of glory” for those who help to take care of God’s sheep. And the “crown of righteousness” is for those who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus and show it by their lives. These are crowns that the Lord Jesus will give out in heaven. These crowns will not fade away like the crowns of leaves! And no one will find them to be too heavy, like the English crowns.

But do we have to wait until we get to heaven for all the crowns? What about the one I suggested that you wear today? That crown is found in Psalm 103:2,4. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ... who [crowns you] with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” This crown is very comfortable, even when you are playing. It will never fade and it won’t disappear when the heavens and the earth melt away. This crown is the loving-kindness of the Lord Jesus and His tender mercies. How the Lord Jesus loves to see you with this crown on! If you aren’t wearing it, maybe it’s because you’ve never accepted the greatest loving-kindness ever given — the forgiveness of your sins. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

There are some people who seem to wear this crown of loving-kindness all the time, and how it sparkles! One dear Christian lady I knew was wearing this crown every time I saw her. She was old and had health troubles and very often she was alone. But her joy in the Lord Jesus shone out so beautifully that I could always see her crown of loving-kindness and
tender mercies.

One day this Christian lady came to our house for supper when we had invited some of the children from the Sunday school. These children, I’m afraid, not only did not have a crown but they also did not have the Savior. They spent quite a lot of time complaining and running noisily up and down the stairs. My smile faded as I tried to calm down those children, and I’m afraid any crown that I might have had faded too. But this dear Christian lady’s crown kept shining. She saw more than just the naughty children. She saw their precious souls that needed salvation and called them “dear children” and wanted a kiss from each one as they left. I’ve never forgotten that visit even though it was many years ago, because my dear old friend was wearing her crown, and I saw it sparkle.

There is one more awful crown that I must tell you about. This crown was made of thorns and it was put on the head of the Lord Jesus. Although He is King over all other kings, He came into this world to die on the cross for our sins. Men put that cruel crown of thorns on His head, and Jesus wore it patiently because of His love for us. Have you ever thanked Him?

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, then don’t forget to let your crown be seen! You’ll enjoy it, and He will be happy to see it on you. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Memory Verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Man's Friend - The Horse

“Be ye not as the horse ... whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle.” Psalm 32:9

Isn’t it amazing that a large animal like a horse, which can weigh a ton or more, can be taught to obey a boy or girl weighing less than a hundred pounds? God planned this. He said in Genesis 1:26 that humans should rule over all of creation.

How does this happen with a horse? Long ago, men discovered that a horse’s mouth could be used to control it. Between its front and back teeth is an open space. A metal bar, called a bit, is placed there and a bridle is attached to it. This bit rests on the sensitive gums of the horse, so it can be used to direct the horse wherever the rider wants it to go.

Have you noticed that a horse’s eyes are situated more on each side of its head rather than in front like yours? The Creator gave it this safety precaution so it can see even slight motion. They also have larger eyes than any other land animal.

A horse’s entire body helps it to receive sounds. Besides its ears, its hooves and teeth sense sound and pass it on through its bones and nerves. A horse’s ears have sharp hearing and can be moved to catch sounds from almost any direction. Its ears are also a clue to how it’s feeling. Straight forward—it is interested and usually friendly. Laid back—look out! It may be angry or annoyed.

God gave the legs and feet of a horse some special designs. As a horse runs, its foot hits the ground with great force. Its large hooves act as shock absorbers, and having four legs means that the stress on any one leg is less. Strong tendons and ligaments are designed by the Creator to absorb shock as well. Since a horse was designed by God for speed, its legs are rather skinny for its size, but it has strong muscles in its shoulders and hindquarters that move their legs.

A horse can sleep standing up. This is because its legs have something called a “stay apparatus,” which is a series of tendons and ligaments in their legs that keep the joints locked in place even though the horse is sound asleep. Can you think of any reasons that this ability would be a good thing for a horse to have?

We know from the Bible that God created the horse. Nothing this marvelous could ever develop by chance! Even though horses are such special animals, our opening Bible verse warns us not to be like them in how we are guided. God loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to be guided by hard things that force us into the right way, like the bit does to the horse. The Lord Jesus spent time in prayer every day, and His ear was open to hear what God the Father said to Him. He is our perfect example.

Did You Know?

A horse can sleep standing up.

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/2025

Columbe

It was long ago in the pioneer days. Rose played alone by the door of her log cabin. The dark pine forest seemed to fence her in, and she was wishing for the hundredth time that she had someone to play with. Suddenly, a little Native American girl came out from among the trees, walking all by herself, right toward her.

Rose was delighted. Smiles were better than words. Everything was new and wonderful for both of them, now that they could share things together. Her new friend’s name was Colombe, a gentle Native American child, and every moment they were together was special.

The afternoon passed quickly, and as the shadows grew long, Colombe turned to the forest path to leave. But Rose’s father would not let her go alone.
He knew the evening forest was full of hidden dangers, but the child walked ahead without a trace of fear. He followed along behind her to the edge of the forest, but stopped there. He felt, rather than saw, that the path was lined with the strong bodies and watchful eyes of braves who would guard her the rest of the way. She must be a chief’s daughter, he thought. There was no need to follow her any farther.

Colombe returned day after day, and Rose talked about her new friend all the time. They were best friends and they shared everything, and that is why one day Rose shared with her friend her Savior — Jesus! The One dearest to her heart must be shared with her friend, and Colombe understood. Her heart opened to the love of Jesus and she learned to pray to Him.

But there came a day when Rose watched and waited, and her friend did not come. Day after day she waited and then asked her father if he would please follow the forest path and see what had happened. He returned with the news that the wigwams were gone and the fires were cold. The tribe had moved on.

There were many tears and prayers in the log cabin in the months that followed. It seemed a long, long time until finally the smoke of the campfires rose into the sky again. The Native Americans had returned, but still Colombe did not come to Rose’s log cabin.

And then one day a tall Native American came from the dark forest to the cabin of the settler. Clearly, he was the chief of the tribe. Both men knew a little French, enough to be understood. Rose’s father stood silent, waiting for the chief to raise his downcast eyes and tell his sad story. He had three sons who had died of fever, one by one. One little treasure was left to them, his gentle little daughter, the light of her parents’ eyes and the princess of the tribe. But recently she also had died of fever.

“But this was different,” he told Rose’s father. “She was very, very sick, but she was not afraid. She talked of Jesus who is alive and who was so real to her. She said she was going to Jesus, and she died with joy. I have come,” said the chief, “to learn of Jesus.”

Do you know the only One who can help you die with joy? Only Jesus can do that. And if someone came to you and asked to learn of Jesus, could you tell them? Some people might know a lot about Jesus, but if Jesus is really your living, loving, coming Savior, you will be able to tell them what He is to you. He is the only Savior for sinners and the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. (See Proverbs 18:25.) “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that [believes]” (Romans 1:16).

Everybody ought to know Who Jesus is:

On the cross He died for sinners

And His blood makes white as snow;

Living, loving, coming Savior:

He’s the One you ought to know.

Jesus is “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

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

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/2025

The Hour Glass

Before there were clocks, people used something called an hour glass to keep track of time. Some were large, taking an hour for the sand to empty from the top chamber to the lower one. Others had only three minutes of sand in them. They were often used to help people limit phone calls, which could be very expensive, or when boiling a three-minute egg. Some games still include timers like these, so maybe you have seen one.

There is a song that talks about something that sounds like an hour glass. It begins, “The sands of time are sinking.” Did you know that time as we know it will not go on forever? God has a certain time when He will call those who have their sins washed away to be with Him forever. There will be no arguing with God about His timing! He has given us NOW as the only time to believe in His love and sacrifice for us, as told in His Word, the Bible. After He takes us to heaven, there will be judgment forever for those who didn’t listen and accept His love. Then time as we know it will not be anymore.

Don’t be late; come to the Lord Jesus who died on the cross for you, and have your sins washed away with His blood while there is still time. He loves you! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Oriole

“Whatsoever [you] do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

The lovely oriole is often a favorite of bird-watchers. Altogether there are eight native oriole species living throughout the United States and southern Canada, with some as far north as Nova Scotia. Most species are not in North America long, just staying from as little as late May to mid-July before migrating south for the rest of the year.

East of the Rocky Mountains, the Baltimore oriole and the orchard oriole are the most common species. In the West, it is the Bullock’s oriole. The males have a beautiful coloring of black and orange or deep yellow, but the females are not as brightly colored. This is a wise plan of the Creator, because it helps keep her safe while hatching and raising the chicks.

Orioles can be helpful to gardeners, eating many caterpillars and insects. The Baltimore oriole even eats hairy caterpillars that other birds won’t eat. Orioles have a sweet tooth and they enjoy fruit and berries, along with nectar.

This bird is interesting not only because of its beauty, but also because of its unusual nest. The nest is usually built as a hanging basket attached to a branch fairly high in a tree. The female weaves plant fibers like grasses and bark and sometimes animal hair into a nest using her beak. Whatever the material, the complicated nest takes a week to 12 days to complete. She skillfully weaves the materials together, often doing a kind of knot, adding stiffer material where needed for extra support. A soft lining such as wool, fine grass or horsehairs is added. The nest is open at the top but hidden underneath large leaves or branches to hide it from enemies. Although they build a new nest every year, they often return to the same area or tree to build their new nest.

Orchard orioles are a bit unusual in that they are easygoing and not as territorial as many birds. This is seen in that they tend to nest in groups if they like a location, such as a tree that is near a river. They will also nest in trees with various other birds, such as the American robin, chipping sparrows, Baltimore orioles, and some others.

As we think about the orioles and their beauty and their interesting nests, we are thinking about another wonder of God’s creation. This beautiful bird does what it has been made to do from the beginning of time, and in this way it is part of God’s plan for this world. As boys and girls, you are a part of the most wonderful creatures God made in the beginning: humans. He made you for His pleasure. You can please Him by simply being obedient and by doing even the smallest thing for Him, “heartily, as to the Lord,” as our opening verse says.

Did You Know?

Orioles can be helpful to gardeners, eating many caterpillars and insects.

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/2025

Free - or Lost?

Our pet bird Joey is a cockatiel. Cockatiels are small parrots. Joey is gray and white with a cute yellow head. Most of the time he chirps away to show how happy he is. He can say a few words, and when he talks it’s funny to hear. He has a throaty little voice, and anyone not knowing the words he can say would find it hard to understand him.

One day someone in the family opened the back door while Joey was out of his cage, and Joey flew out the door. He thought he was free, but we were horrified. We knew that a pet bird outside is in danger and is very hard to catch.

We ran outside. He was still in our backyard tree. Our father got a ladder to climb and try to catch him, but just as he got close, Joey flew off.

We chased Joey all over the neighborhood for several hours. We tried holding up his cage when he perched on a store roof with a bunch of pigeons. Joey wasn’t interested. We called him and called him, holding out a finger for him to land on. But that didn’t work either. Joey was enjoying being free!

Joey was enjoying his freedom, but he didn’t know that soon it would be dark and cold. His fun was not going to last.

Eventually, we lost sight of Joey. Sadly, we gave up hope and stopped looking for him. We went back home ... and then we realized we still had one hope we had forgotten about — we prayed, asking the Lord Jesus to send back our lost bird. We knew that if the Lord Jesus wanted us to have Joey back, He could bring him back to us. “Things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

The next day we prayed again each time we looked at Joey’s empty cage. At last, someone called on the phone asking for Mother. “You don’t know me,” were the first words he said. Then he explained that he had Joey safe in his home, five blocks away from our house. He had found our tired, hungry, lost little bird in a tree in his backyard that morning. Climbing a ladder, he had talked soothingly to Joey for ten minutes, then carried him down the ladder in a baseball cap.

We went to pick Joey up, and we thanked the Lord Jesus for giving us our pet back again.

He didn’t know it, but when Joey flew out the door, he was lost, not free. He was flying away from the only place of love and safety he had ever known. Some boys and girls don’t know it, but they are lost, too. They may think they are free because they do what they want and don’t care about what God wants for them. But that kind of life will end in trouble. Each of us has a soul that will never die. It will live forever in heaven, or spend a terrible eternity in the lake of fire. God loves you and He will give you true freedom and eternal life in heaven with Him if you will only obey Him. What you need to obey is this: “God ... now commands all men [and boys and girls] everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). God wants us to be sorry for our sins and to trust in His Son, the Lord Jesus, for the salvation He freely gives. Then you will be truly free ... free of worry about what will happen when you die, and free to obey the God who loves you so much, because God will give you a new life that wants to obey Him. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, [you] shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/2025

I Know It!

Along the coast of Nova Scotia is a shoal called, “I Know It.” A shoal is a sandbar that makes water dangerously shallow for boats. This shoal was even more dangerous because it held a large hidden rock under the surface. Here is how this shoal got its strange name.

Some men were sailing in a fishing boat near this place. One of the men warned his friend who was piloting the boat about this shoal. “I know it,” the man answered, but he went on without correcting their direction. A little later he was warned again, “We are near that shoal!” “I know it,” he said again. Right then they crashed onto the rock.

You might be thinking, “How silly that man was,” and you are right. Now, what about the warnings God has given you in His Word? The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Do you answer, “I know it,” and go on without doing anything about it?

I met another man who was not willing to correct his direction. We had traveled a long distance to tell some people about the Lord Jesus and the way of salvation. One man we met told us, “You didn’t have to come all that way to tell me how to be saved. Since I was a boy I have known it.” He motioned with his hand to show us how small a boy he had been then, and then he repeated, “‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ Acts 16:31.” He knew how to be saved and could even quote a verse about it. But when we asked him, “And have you believed on Him, Sir?” he turned and went out the door without answering.

How sad! But many boys and girls learn verses and have Bibles of their own, yet have never trusted in the Lord Jesus for themselves. You may “know it,” but have you believed it?

If you are already a Christian, the Bible has warnings for you, too — to stay away from evil. “My son, if sinners entice [you], consent ... not” (Proverbs 1:10). “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-15). These are some of the warnings that God gives us so that if we obey them we can be happy Christians. John 13:17 tells us that we are happy if we do the things we know He wants us to do.

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Wandering Albatross

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10

Over the centuries, sailors traveling on the southern oceans have been surprised to find a lone albatross here or there. Sometimes they are hundreds or even thousands of miles from land. Many have thought these large birds must have been blown out to sea by storms and couldn’t find their way back, but this is not the case. From the beginning God has given these birds a remarkable sense of direction. Although some of them circle the globe many times in their life, they never seem to get lost.

God has designed albatrosses very specially so they can fly great distances even though they are large birds. They have very long wings. One species has a wingspread of nearly 12 feet. Their wings have been specially created with a locking mechanism at the shoulder that lets them glide great distances for long periods of time using very little energy, their wings held straight out like a glider’s wings. They also have special sensory organs in their nostrils to measure the speed of the air. They need wind or drafts from waves to be able to fly without exerting too much energy, so if there is no wind or waves, they descend to rest on the ocean.

It is assumed that albatrosses can even sleep while they are gliding. When they’re hungry, they drop down to the ocean to dive for a fish. When they are thirsty, they drink seawater, and a special gland above their eyes helps them to excrete the extra salt.

Albatrosses spend many months at sea, coming to land only to breed and raise their chick with their lifelong mate. Incubating their one egg takes up to 85 days, depending on the species of albatross, a job both parents share. This is the longest incubation time for any bird. Then they take another 140 to 210 days to fully raise their chick, so most of a year is gone by the time one chick is raised by a set of parent birds. The oldest known wild bird is an albatross named Wisdom. When she was 70 years old, she hatched a chick. She is at least 73 years old today, and still alive, but her mate has disappeared, so she is no longer raising chicks.

As we think about these birds living in the parts of the ocean farthest from land, it reminds me of our opening verses. No matter where we are or what we are going through, no matter how alone we may feel, God our Father sees us and is tenderly taking care of us, if we belong to Him, just as He cares for the albatross. Do you know the One who cares so much for you?

Did You Know?

One species of albatross has a wingspread of nearly 12 feet.

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/2025

Playing With Sharks

Spray burst into the air as the salty waves crashed on the coral reefs that surrounded the little islands just off the coast of northern Africa. Nearby, the small ship Elie Monnier lay at anchor, rolling on the large waves of the North Atlantic. The beautiful, clear waters seemed to welcome Captain Jack and his friend Nick. They and their crew had come to film the beautiful undersea life.

Every day they nervously noted the different kinds of sharks near their boat. At first, they were jittery about the sharks when they went into the water. They had been warned repeatedly of the danger of sharks in these waters and so they were very cautious. No cameraman on their ship was allowed to swim out for pictures alone; instead they traveled in pairs. One carried the camera while the other carried a harpoon, ready for any danger.

Once while peering through the water, Captain Jack could just make out the shape of a huge shark in the gloom ahead. As it moved closer, his heart missed a beat as he saw the immense jaws of the nearly 25-foot-long monster. He moved closer to his friend Nick who had the harpoon. Their muscles tensed as they watched the great fish swimming slowly toward them. Suddenly the shark caught sight of the two men. Fear and fascination filled Jack and Nick. To their intense relief the shark whirled and swam away, seemingly in fear.

Days of filming passed, and the two friends gradually became less afraid of sharks. Before long, Jack even went out looking for sharks to film. Even the sharks known as man-eating sharks seemed to be afraid of the men and would turn and swim away.

Jack and his friends were certainly becoming foolish about playing around with sharks. One day one of the men swam into a cave with sharks and pulled their tails. The sharks darted outside the cave and swam away while Jack’s friends filmed them.

Let’s pause to think for a minute. Have you lost your fear of sinning against God like Jack and his friend lost their fear of sharks? God’s book, the Bible, tells us that there are “pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). Sin might not always seem like it’s all that bad ... it might even seem like fun. But Jack and his friend would soon find sharks to be extremely dangerous. So is sin.

Finally, one day Jack decided to take the Elie Monnier away from the islands for some deep-sea filming. As soon as they reached deeper waters, Nick sighted a small whale. He and Jack grabbed their camera and dove in to follow it beneath the waves. Only 15 feet beneath the surface they noticed an 8-foot-long gray shark. Fearlessly they swam toward it, assuming that it would run from them as all the others had. Instead, it headed toward them and began to circle. Nick reached for the shark’s tail and gave it a twist. The shark just shook him off and continued slowly circling the two men. Fascinated by the shark, the men started being drawn deeper and deeper into the depths of the ocean.

They would soon find out what terrible danger they were in. Swimming up beneath them were two vicious-looking, 16-foot-long, steel-blue sharks. Finally, Jack and Nick became afraid. Surrounded by sharks and more than 60 feet beneath the surface of the ocean, they struggled to keep down panic as the sharks slowly circled closer and closer. Jack blew air bubbles at the sharks to scare them off, but it didn’t work. Then he tried a chemical that had worked to drive away sharks before. The gray shark swam right through the chemicals and closed in on the desperate men. It swam directly toward Jack until its giant jaws completely filled his vision. In desperation Jack smashed his camera against the shark’s snout! It veered away ... but soon began to circle again.

Fighting their way to the surface, Jack and Nick grew more and more tired. Their strength began to give out, and the sharks seemed to be closing in for the kill. Their efforts had failed to drive off the sharks, and they were as helpless as a mouse in the clutches of a cat. The sharks moved faster and faster as they closed in on Jack and Nick.

The two friends managed to reach the surface and they desperately tried to get the attention of the crew on the Elie Monnier. But no one on the ship seemed to notice them.

Exhausted, one man kept watch for the sharks while the other rested. When the sharks approached, they dove toward them and turned the sharks aside. But their oxygen supply was dwindling. Soon they would be forced to dive while holding their breath. Before long they wouldn’t have the strength to dive, and then ...

They had almost given up hope when suddenly a shadow moved over their heads, and the sharks turned and dove into the depths of the ocean. The ship’s crew had finally seen their attempts to alert them. The shadow of the Elie Monnier’s hull passing overhead had driven off the sharks.

Just as the men were drawn into danger by their careless fascination with the sharks, sometimes even young boys and girls get into serious trouble because of careless fascination with some sin. The Bible tells us that “every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desire], and enticed. Then when lust [has] conceived [the desire is followed], it [brings] forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, [brings] forth death” (James 1:14-15). Jack and Nick felt trapped by the sharks, just as some people feel trapped by their sin.

But thankfully God, who is loving, holy and all-powerful, always hears our cries for help. He will always help anyone who cries to Him, freely forgive them for their sins, and free them from its power. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver [you], and [you will] glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). That is God’s promise, and God cannot lie. God can hear us because the Lord Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment for sins. Won’t you call to Him for salvation and help today?

Memory Verse: “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The All-Important Sun

“The Lord God is a sun and shield.” Psalm 84:11

As you probably know, we could not live without the sun. Without it, we would have no food, no light, and no warmth. Photosynthesis (the process by which plants use the energy of sunlight to produce their own food) depends on the sun. The sun evaporates water from the oceans. This vapor fills the air, providing humidity to keep living things from drying up, as well as providing rain. The sun’s heat produces winds, refreshing the air. Winds stir up the oceans and lakes, adding oxygen that freshens them also.

Even though the sun is almost 93 million miles from the earth, it takes less than 10 minutes for its light to reach us. The earth’s distance from the sun is exactly right for all the forms of life the Creator has placed here. To provide the fullest benefits, God has tilted the earth’s axis 23½ degrees. This exposes various parts of the world to the sun in a way that makes it possible to grow plants on twice as much land than if the earth were always at the same angle to the sun. This is very important because everything we eat depends on plants.

In space there are stars estimated to be 25 times brighter than our sun, but God made the sun just right for our needs. It is 864,000 miles in diameter, and, if it were hollow, it could hold over a million earths. It is a huge nuclear furnace, changing four million tons of its matter into energy every second. Yet it does not burn itself out, nor become smaller in size. Who but God could provide such a furnace as this!

The sun is at the center of our solar system and is responsible for holding each one of its eight planets in their courses. They can’t crash into each other because the speed of each planet as it travels in its orbit, along with the gravitational pull of the sun, keeps each one in the right place at all times.

Who do you think put these heavenly bodies in such a precise pattern? Who set their speeds through space and established their travels around the sun so accurately? Only God, who put all this in motion, could have kept them in the same circuits and timetables ever since they were created.

It’s wonderful to think of the sun as a picture of what the Lord God is for us, as our opening verse makes us think. We are dependent on Him for everything, just as the world is dependent on the sun. If we feel “cold” toward Him, the best thing to do is to spend time thinking about how much He loves us, just like we get warm by going into the sunshine! He made us, and we are only truly happy when living in communion with Him.

Did You Know?

The sun is a huge nuclear furnace, changing four million tons of its matter into energy every second.

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/2025

Stealing an Apple

Alex was from a poor home in Germany many years ago. One morning when he was nine years old, he was walking to school when he suddenly thought it would be nice to have an apple to eat with the bread his mother had given him for his lunch. Most of his school friends had fruit at times, but he hardly ever got to eat fruit, so it seemed like a special treat to him. He was thinking about this when he came to an outdoor market which he had to pass every day on his way to school. The market had many stalls loaded with fruit, and he stopped walking, almost without thinking, in front of one of them to look at some delicious-looking red apples. The lady who owned the stall had turned around to talk with a friend, so the fruit was left unguarded.

The thought crossed his mind, “One apple would never be missed from all those apples, and even if I took one, she has thousands more.” This seemed true. Giving in to the temptation, he quietly reached out his hand, grabbed an apple, and was just about to put it into his pocket when he got a firm blow on the side of his head. Afraid and surprised, he let the apple fall out of his hands. As he did, he heard someone saying loudly, “Boy! What does the eighth commandment say? I hope that this is the first time you have used your hand to take your neighbor’s goods, but let it also be the last time, or worse will come of it.” Alex’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as he shyly looked up to see who was scolding him. That quick look was enough to make Alex remember that face for the rest of his life.

Alex went on his way to school, but during class, he could hardly think. He wanted to cry, but he didn’t dare to, because someone might ask him why he was crying. He seemed to keep hearing the stranger’s warning, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the words, “Let it also be the last time.” He decided right then that, with God’s help, it really would be both the first and the last time.

Years went by. When Alex left school, he worked in the financial business of a friend of his father’s. He moved to South America, and in his work he was often tempted to take what belonged to another, by charging too much for what he sold, by deceit, and by other wrong ways of gaining extra money. But though he had those temptations, whenever he was tempted, he seemed to feel again the blow from that hand on his face and to hear that man’s words again. God used that to help him not to give in to the many temptations to do wrong.

Years later, Alex was back in Germany when he saw that man again. He saw him every morning, and every morning he gave him a friendly greeting. The man always returned his greeting, though he didn’t know who Alex was. But then one day, both of them were invited to someone’s house. As the host was going to introduce them to one another, Alex interrupted him, saying, “Oh, that isn’t necessary; we have known each other a long time.”

“I believe there must be a mistake here, sir,” answered the man, whose name was Mr. Muller, “at least for my part. I know that I have often gotten a friendly greeting from you during the last few months, but as far as I know, we are complete strangers.”

“And yet,” Alex said with a smile, “I got to know you a long time ago, and I am truly glad to meet you here and to be able to tell you personally the thankfulness I feel towards you.”

“How can I possibly be worthy of thanks from a man who I don’t know?” replied Mr. Muller.

“It happened a long time ago,” said the young man, “but after I tell you a short story, I think you will remember me.”

After telling Mr. Muller his story, Alex took Mr. Muller’s hand in both of his hands, wanting to express his thanks to the hand that had done him such good.

And now, what about you? Have you ever been tempted to take something that wasn’t yours? I think all of us have had that temptation. If you did take that thing, that is stealing, and it is a sin. Did you know that even one sin is enough to keep you out of heaven? I hope you will realize that every sin is serious in God’s eyes and has to be paid for. It must be paid for either by the eternal death of the one that sins or by the work and death of the Lord Jesus on the cross. If you will only believe, God wants to give you His wonderful gift of forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus as your very own Savior? God’s book the Bible tells us:

“The soul [or person] that [sins], it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

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

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and [you will] be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Memory Verse: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

Messages of God’s Love 3/30/2025

I Don't Understand It!

We found our friend Gordon in his wheelchair in the lobby of the nursing home. We had often visited him and we knew he loved to talk about the Lord Jesus.

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

“Yes, I do.”

“It said, ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [believes] in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ I don’t understand it!”

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

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

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

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

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

It may be hard to understand, but we only need to believe it to enjoy God’s love. The verse is not for “whoever understands” but for “whoever believes.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/30/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marmot (Mountain Whistler)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, [walks] about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

Hikers enjoying the quiet of the high mountains in western North America are sometimes startled to hear a sharp whistle nearby. They might stop, thinking someone is trying to get their attention. But if they look closely, they are pretty sure to discover that the whistler is a mountain marmot. They will probably find it perched on top of a rock, carefully watching them.

The marmot, between one and two feet long, looks similar to a beaver. It is the largest member of the squirrel family, weighing up to 28 pounds. Short-legged, with its furry tail stretched out behind and its small ears perked up, its dark eyes closely watch the surroundings for danger. If danger is seen, a sharp whistle warns other marmots to run into their burrows. Soon, one cautiously looks out, and if the danger has disappeared, it gives a different whistle to let its companions know the coast is clear.

Most marmots are social animals, living in family groups or perhaps several groups of families. The only exception is the groundhog, which is fiercely territorial and always lives alone except when a female is raising her babies.

Expert excavators, each family digs its own burrow that can be 50 or more feet long. It has an entrance that is hopefully under a rock big enough that no bear or coyote can shove it aside. Frequently, two burrows lead to one den. This gives the extra safety of two ways to escape the danger or an extra exit from the den if necessary.

As winter approaches, a den at the end of the burrow is lined with plenty of cozy moss and grass. Going into the den for the winter with fattened stomachs dragging on the ground, they are well prepared for hibernation until spring. That’s a good thing, because they hibernate for up to nine months! To do this, their metabolism slows way down, their hearts slow to five beats a minute and their breathing slows way down as well.

Usually one to eight pups are born in late spring to early summer, and about six weeks later they begin to explore outside. They stay with their parents through the summer and hibernate with them the following winter.

Marmots are a good example to us of our opening verse. Of course they don’t know anything about Satan, but they are very watchful for enemies. Sadly, often as Christians we are very careless about doing what that verse teaches, to resist the devil using the shield of faith. Discouragement is one of Satan’s favorite weapons. May we be careful to resist it!

Did You Know?

Marmots hibernate for up to nine months!

Messages of God’s Love 3/30/2025

Clara Barton

Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821. When she was a young girl, her brother fell off the barn roof and was badly hurt. Clara, although only ten years old, nursed him for two whole years until he was healthy again.

Clara was a very good student, but she was so painfully shy that her parents worried about her. Then, when she finished school at the age of 17, she started working as a teacher, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Massachusetts. Teaching helped her overcome her shyness. She was a good teacher, too, known for her ability to have her students do well without having to punish them. She also started and taught at the first free public school in Bordentown, New Jersey. When someone else took over that school, she became a clerk working for the United States government. That was an unusual job for a woman to have in those days.

Then, the Civil War broke out in the United States. The Union army from the North fought the Confederate Army from the South. The first major battle was the First Battle of Bull Run in Virginia. It was a terrible battle and many soldiers died. Then hundreds of injured soldiers started to limp into Washington D.C. They had no place to go, so they just lay down on the sides of the streets. At that time only men were allowed to be doctors. There were very few of them, and they didn’t have enough medical supplies to treat all the wounded.

Clara Barton saw the terrible suffering of these soldiers and knew she had to do something. She started going into stores and businesses, asking people to donate anything that might be used for bandages. Then she started caring for the wounded. She didn’t stop there. Clara put an ad in the newspaper asking for medical donations. So many donations poured in that they filled the building where she lived.

Throughout the war, which lasted four long years, Clara Barton kept working hard to help the soldiers. She filled wagons with medical supplies and took the wagons into the battle zones herself. As Clara tended the sick and wounded, entering the battlefields, she was in danger, too. One time she was caring for a wounded soldier on the edge of a battlefield and a bullet passed right through the sleeve of her dress. But danger didn’t stop Clara! She worked hard, cleaning the soldiers’ wounds so they would heal properly. She also spent time talking to the soldiers, trying to comfort them. She became known as the Angel of the Battlefield because of all the lives she saved and all the people she helped.

After the Civil War ended, Clara worked for a relief organization called the International Red Cross and eventually started the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross continues to this day, helping those in need in war zones and wherever there are natural disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

Clara Barton was what we think of as a true hero. In the way that she brought relief to thousands of injured soldiers, she makes me think of Someone who is far greater, Someone who came into this world to save all those who couldn’t save themselves from hell. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ.

When He lived on this earth, the Lord Jesus healed blind people’s eyes, made lame people able to walk, healed people who had leprosy, and even restored life to dead people. But much more important and wonderful than all the wonderful miracles He did was when He gave His life on the cross to save sinners. On the cross Jesus suffered and died and His blood was shed to bring forgiveness to all of us who are wounded by sin. The death of Jesus meant so much to God that He raised Him from the dead, and now He is willing to forgive the sins of every person who will believe in the name of His Son. “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

We often honor the name of people who have done great things. What Clara Barton did earned her the name of “The Angel of the Battlefield.” What she did was very admirable. But what the Lord Jesus did is not only admirable but is so great that He deserves to be adored by everyone. Will you believe in and honor His wonderful name? “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow ... and ... every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Memory Verse: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Philippians 2:10

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Insects in Watery Homes

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

The Lord God is not only the Creator of the beautiful and spectacular things in nature that we often see, but the above verse includes many things we don’t usually see. One of the world’s largest insects, called the giant water bug, is one of these.

These insects are found around the world, but mostly in Central and South America and the southern parts of North America. A few species are found throughout North America. They range from 1/3 inch to close to 5 inches. Some can fly, but since their wide, flat bodies float, many stay close to the ponds or lakeshores where they live. They have a special breathing tube, like a snorkel, to help them breathe underwater.

Their front legs are like a pair of pincers to help them catch prey, including fish as big as they are. They inject poisonous saliva into their prey through a proboscis like a mosquito’s, then wait a bit before sucking out the liquified insides. Flat hind legs provide paddling power for swimming on or below the surface of the water. Their bite is very painful to humans, so anyone trying to catch one should be careful.

The male allows his mate to glue her eggs onto his wings. He carries these around, safe from predators, until they hatch. Other species glue their eggs onto vegetation where the male guards and cares for them.

Water bugs are useful in controlling the quantity of other organisms in the water, such as snails and minnows, and destroying mosquito larvae.

Another insect that lives in a watery home is the damselfly, which looks like a small dragonfly. The female lays her eggs underwater or on plants near water. The presence of damselflies shows that the water nearby is fairly unpolluted, or they wouldn’t be able to live there.

The damselfly’s eggs hatch into nymphs that remain underwater for some time, helpfully eating larvae of mosquitoes and water fleas, among other things, while they grow and go through many molts. Up to three years later, they emerge for their final molt, shedding their last underwater shell to become the lovely flying creatures we see above water.

Damselflies make me think of what every Christian should show to this world ... where the pure water of life can be found. When the Lord looks at your life, does He see you enjoying the pure water He offers in His Word, the Bible? Or are you drinking of the polluted “waters” of this world ... books and other entertainments that aren’t true, lovely, noble, and all the things that are good?

Did You Know?

The presence of damselflies shows that the water nearby is fairly unpolluted.

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/2025

George Whitfield

“I would willingly go to prison or to death so that I could bring one soul from the devil’s stronghold unto the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.” George Whitfield said these words, and he lived them, devoting his life to preaching the gospel to those who had not heard, often in places of danger and in spite of fierce opposition.

George was born in England over 300 years ago. Thomas and Elizabeth Whitfield were his parents and he was the youngest of their seven children.

When George was growing up in England, the country had little interest in God’s truth. Many people lived wicked lives and spent a lot of money on alcohol. This led to much poverty and crime. But God was beginning to work in that country. One of His workers would be from an unlikely family. George’s parents did not know the Lord. How was it that George grew up to be one of the best gospel preachers ever known?

George’s father died when he was young. When he was still young, his mother wanted him to do what some in her family had done before ... study to become a minister. They were too poor to afford the schooling, but they found out that a poor student could work for a rich student as a “servitor” and in that way make enough money to go through university.

The university George went to when he was only 18 was Oxford University. People there were starting to teach that the gospel was just a fable. The students who didn’t believe in God often spent their time partying. George did not join them in their wicked lifestyles, and they made fun of him for that. But he made a new friend who was also serious about the things of God named John Wesley. To him George admitted that though he sometimes spent weeks on the floor begging God for deliverance from the evil thoughts that filled his mind, he could not find peace with God. After a year of this struggle, he left Oxford for a time and went to visit relatives. It seems that during this time he came to trust completely in the Lord Jesus alone for his salvation. What peace! What joy! He didn’t have to do anything ... God’s beloved Son had done it all for him!

George started to love reading the Word of God and spending time in prayer. He put away all his other books to focus on the Bible, and God’s Spirit taught him much from that wonderful book.

George became a popular preacher. Then, when he was only 23, in 1737, he left England and went to visit the colony of Georgia in North America, taking money to start an orphanage.

Even on the long sea journey, George worked for his Master, the Lord Jesus. The captain and crew on the ship he sailed on had no interest in hearing him preach, but George wisely worked to gain their respect.

Instead of preaching, he went around the ship caring for the sick and showing kindness to everyone he met. People quickly began to like him. Soon the captain said to Whitfield, “Well you’re a unique preacher! I never saw one before who would help the sick sailors and be kind to all like you’ve done. You’re not getting paid to do this, are you?”

“No,” George replied, “but God has called me to do anything I can to make men happier.”

The captain was impressed. Finally, he said, “I’m not usually the kind of man who changes his mind, but if you want, I’ll let you preach.” Of course, that is exactly what George wanted!

So, for the rest of the journey, he continued working to win the love of the sailors and his fellow-passengers and to lead them to Christ. When he landed in Georgia, he continued using these methods of kindness and generosity, and many people were saved. But some people didn’t like how he did things.

“It’s not dignified,” they said, “the way that he goes from house to house teaching the Scriptures. It’s strange.”

“I think the man is in earnest, and even though I don’t always agree with him, he fills my soul with love to Christ,” said another.

But his critics would not be persuaded. “When he goes home to England, he might be sorry for making himself so obnoxious by preaching the way he has here. We can reach him across the ocean, and we’ll make him feel pain there for what he has done here.”

That is exactly what happened. When George returned home to England, he found that not one preacher would allow him to preach from his pulpit. Even in Bristol, where he had been extremely popular before leaving for America, they preached against him and threatened to take their people to court if they let him pray and teach the Bible in their homes. However, God used this opposition for good.

George went to his brother for advice. He said, “If you aren’t allowed to preach in the churches, the fields are open to you. You won’t need to look far for people to preach to.”

So George began to preach outside. This was very successful from the beginning. God’s great love for the people he was preaching to flowed through him, often moving him to tears. God’s Spirit worked very strongly, and many people were saved.

Through the years, George continued making trips across the ocean to preach in America and to set up orphanages there as he did in England. At times there would be 30-40,000 people outside listening to him in England and the same became true in America. Whitfield often preached four times a day. People guess that 80% of Americans heard him preach. He had a pleasant voice to listen to, yet his voice was so strong it could be heard over a mile away! This was a good thing, because there were no microphones in those days.

What was the wonderful message he taught? To put it simply: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God loved sinners so much that He sent His only Son to suffer on the cross for our sins and to die so that we can be saved from eternal punishment and have a home in heaven for all eternity. There is no better news than that! Won’t you accept God’s free gift right now?

George once said, “I feel sorry for those who complain about boredom! Let them only love Christ and spend their whole time in His service, and they will find few dull hours.” Did you know that even a child can serve the Lord Jesus? One thing you can do is to share what you have, like the little boy who shared his lunch (see John 6:9). The Lord Jesus used that lunch to feed about 5000 people! The next time you feel bored, ask the Lord what you can do for Him. You might be surprised at His answer.

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

Messages of God’s Love 4/13/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Fish-Loving Harbor Seals

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

There are great numbers of harbor seals north of the equator along shores in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They are called harbor seals because they stay near shore.

A full-grown harbor seal is often just over six feet long, weighing up to 370 pounds. Females give birth to a single pup, between February and July, depending on where they live, and nursing them for four to six weeks. Then the pups are on their own.

Cute, friendly-looking mammals, they are actually quite shy and quickly wiggle from the shore into the ocean when people or animals get too close. This is partly because they are awkward on land. Excellent swimmers, in the water they are curious, often coming up close behind boats in the water.

Harbor seals may live 25 to 30 years in the wild. They can dive down to 1,640 feet while chasing something to eat, spending up to 20 minutes below the surface. Since they are mammals that breathe air, the Lord has given them several special abilities that make this possible. Among other things, their heart rate slows way down, so they use less oxygen. Also, they first expel all air from their lungs, minimizing pressure changes on their bodies. They have a special protein that holds onto oxygen in their muscles, instead.

They might spend days alone at sea, but then haul out (resting on shore or on a rock protruding out of the water), often where there are other seals. It is more common to see them hauled out in groups when they are molting, which they do once a year, or when having their pups. During their molt, their fur falls off in patches, all of it eventually being replaced with a healthy new fur coat.

They eat shellfish, shrimp, crabs, squid, octopi and fish, of which a favorite is salmon. Though they live by the ocean, they will swim up freshwater rivers more than 100 miles in search of fish at certain times.

Besides fishermen, the harbor seals’ worst enemies are killer whales and white sharks. Dogs, bears, coyotes and other land animals also attack them, especially the pups, along the shores.

Seals can survive long dives underwater by not breathing in while they are there. This makes me think of how we, as Christians, may often be in places where there are evil things around us. Do we know how to survive there without getting hurt by those things? If we keep our minds on what is good and pure and avoid thinking about those evil things, we can stay in communion with the Lord Jesus even in hard places. The Lord wants to give this to us!

Did You Know?

Harbor seals can dive down to 1,640 feet while chasing something to eat.

Messages of God’s Love 4/13/2025

Save a Life

Standing on the muddy bank of a canal near Miami, Florida, Jim saw bubbles coming up from the car which had just plunged into the murky water.

Jim and his wife had seen the accident happen as they were driving to the airport for a flight to their home in Chicago. Graciela, the driver of the car that was in the water, had lost control of her car when the car’s hood suddenly flew open, blocking her view.

“We quickly turned our car around and went back,” Jim said later. “I knew that I was going to have to go in after her, so I took my wedding ring off and got my wallet out of my pocket.”

“Everyone was saying Jim was crazy to go into that water,” his wife added. “It was black and deep and full of snakes and alligators! But nobody else among the 50 people who stopped seemed to want to help.”

As Jim pulled off his shoes, someone called to him from the crowd standing around: “Don’t worry about your clothes, son. Save a life!” Although his good clothes and his flight to Chicago that he was about to miss were on his mind, Jim dove into the 15 feet of black water to try to find the car. Coming up for air, he dove again and again.

“I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face in that water,” he said later. “I didn’t think I was going to find the car. I was amazed when I touched it.”

It was his fourth dive before he finally found the car. Although nearly exhausted and out of air, Jim forced open the car door and found the unconscious driver. He pulled her out of the car and then took her safely to shore.

On the shore they found that Graciela was not breathing and was apparently in shock. Other bystanders gave her artificial respiration until the paramedics could take over. All of this work saved Graciela’s life. After a short hospital stay, she was released in good health.

Graciela’s life was saved, above all, because of Jim’s concern and quick action. There were 50 other people standing around who either could not or would not help. We may ask why and not come up with a very good answer.

This story reminds me of the story of the good Samaritan that is found in the Bible in Luke 10:30-35. In that story there is a man who was robbed of his clothes, then brutally beaten up by the thieves and left to die. At least two men passed right by him who did not help him. They did not have the love that was needed to help the man who could not help himself. The only person who could and would help the wounded man was a Samaritan, a stranger from another land. “A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34).

This story is a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus. He is the true Good Samaritan, the “Stranger” who came down from heaven to earth and did everything that was needed to save us from our sins. The Lord Jesus “became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). We are like the wounded man who had everything taken from him by the thieves. Satan is called a thief in the Bible, because he always takes away from people everything he can.

Have you accepted the love of God that was shown to this world in the life and death of the Lord Jesus? “There is none other name [the name of Jesus] under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

For those of us who know the love of God for ourselves, it’s good to think ... are we doing everything we can to tell others the way to be saved? Or are we more worried about our things or what people will think of us than in trying to “save a life” from an eternity in hell? “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

Memory Verse: “A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds.” Luke 10:33-34

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/2025

Under the Microscope

When I was in junior high school, my uncle invited me and some of my friends over to his house for supper. For dessert, among other things, there was a plate of figs. Yum! Figs, dates and raisins are my favorite dried fruits.

While we were eating the figs, one of the boys said, “We have been studying about bacteria at school. These figs are sweet and sticky. I wonder if we could see bacteria on them if we looked at them through your microscope.”

I knew that moldy cheese, rotten food and stagnant water all had bacteria, but I was sure dried figs wouldn’t have any.

My uncle said, “Let’s find out.” He brought out his microscope and adjusted it on the table. Then he shaved off a thin layer from the outside of the fig with a razor blade. We all watched closely as he carefully placed the shaving on a glass slide and slipped it in place under the powerful scope. After looking at it through the microscope for a minute or two he said, “Come and see for yourselves.”

When it was my turn to look, I saw two or three things that were moving. “Ugh! Who would have thought there were bugs on those figs?” I said in disgust. They looked like bugs to me, but my uncle said they were bacteria.

“Now, what has the microscope done?” my uncle asked.

We all knew that it hadn’t done anything except open our eyes so we could see the actual condition of the figs.

“Hey, it’s better to know the truth than to be deceived,” he said. “But by the looks on your faces, I think you’d rather not know the truth so you could still enjoy the figs!”

I have never forgotten that evening. The Bible is like a microscope for us, because it shows us the truth about everything. It exposes the true condition of our hearts and the true condition of the world we live in.

One of the things the Bible tells us is that our hearts are “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). Then it tells us, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If you believe both of the truths that God has told us in these verses and receive them into your heart, you will be washed clean from all your sins. This makes you fit for the presence of God in heaven.

Have you let God’s microscope expose the truth of what’s in your heart?

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The World's Best Flying Machine

“Behold the fowls of the air ... your heavenly Father [feeds] them. Are [you] not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26

The Creator made birds to be excellent flying machines. Like an airplane, birds have wings, propellers, steering apparatus and provisions for takeoff and landing. All of these actions are performed better by a bird than by any airplane.

In an earlier article we learned about the amazing design of their feathers. Their bone structure also shows the wisdom of the Creator. Everything about the strong, flexible skeleton is designed to help them fly. A bird’s reinforced tubular bones (called pneumatic bones) are hollow, yet strong. They contain a spongy network that fills with air as the bird breathes.

In fact, the whole breathing system of a bird is an important part of its ability to fly. As a baby bird grows, its lungs grow into its bones, making hollow spaces in the bones. The lungs stay connected to the bones throughout its life. As it flies, it can take in and push out air at the same time, providing a constant flow of oxygen for the hard work of flying. All this air also helps the bird maintain the proper temperature. Diving birds like loons and puffins do not have pneumatic bones.

Most of the bird’s flying power comes from the large muscles of its breast which pull the wings down, and the small muscles of its wings which pull the wings back up again. The breast muscles are connected to an unusually large breastbone. This large bone gives more room for muscles to attach to. The neck is the most flexible part of its body. It has 10 to 25 vertebrae, while our necks have only 7. This incredibly flexible neck helps give balance to the bird as it flies. It also makes it possible to see better since their eyes have very limited movement.

Almost all birds are excellent fliers, but many heavy ones have difficulty getting airborne. Some, like swans, need a runway. While running down their runway, they beat their wings furiously to lift into the air. But some ducks, like mallards, can take off straight up into the air with no need for a runway. Many birds take off into the wind, just as airplanes do.

All of this shows us the amazing wisdom of the Creator, who simply spoke and creation came into existence. One part of creation wasn’t made by speaking, however. That is humans. As our opening verse says, God cares about us much more than the birds. God made you and me in His own image, to reflect Himself. As believers, He gives us the ability to do this, in spite of sin having come into the world. It’s a good thing to think about. Our life should show some of the beauty and goodness of God to others.

Did You Know?

Some birds, like swans, need a runway to take flight.

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/2025

The Telephone That Wouldn't Work

A dairy farm is a busy place. The cows have to be milked each morning and each evening every day of the week. Even if the farmer has to go away for a few days, somebody still has to milk the cows twice a day.

It usually takes several hours to do the chores each morning and each evening. Not only are the cows milked, but they are also given special feed at that time. Then there is cleanup afterward. All the milking equipment must be carefully cleaned, and the floors have to be swept. So a dairy farmer spends lots of time in the dairy barn. He also spends time in his workshop where he repairs his machinery, and time out at the silo where he feeds his other cattle twice a day.

Mr. Beckley was one of these busy dairy farmers a number of years ago, before cell phones were around. It seemed as though every time an important phone call came for him, he was out in the barn or workshop. One day he read about a farmer who bought a cordless telephone and carried it with him wherever he happened to be on the farm when he was expecting a phone call. Mr. Beckley thought that sounded like a good idea. He decided he’d keep his eyes open for one on sale.

Several weeks later he went to an auction at a hardware store. Sure enough, they were selling a cordless telephone. It was a new phone, but it didn’t work. He was told its battery wouldn’t take a charge. But for $10 he decided to take it home and maybe he or one of his sons could fix it.

When he got the telephone home, he and his oldest son, Todd, took it apart and discovered it had a broken wire. That was easy enough to fix. Todd got out the soldering iron and soldered the wire back together again. Then the phone could be charged ... but they discovered it still wouldn’t work. Something else was wrong.

Have you ever wished you could “fix” some of the broken parts of your life? Sometimes we wish we could take back something wrong we have done. Maybe we said something that wasn’t true or kind. Or maybe we disobeyed our parents. These things have a way of bothering us, and we wish we hadn’t done them. Sin never makes us happy. We might look happy on the outside, but sin makes us unhappy, deep inside where nobody but God can see. Admitting we told a lie or saying we’re sorry doesn’t take away the sin, even though they are important to do. God still sees those sins, and no matter how much “repair” work we may try to do, it won’t work. We still have those sins on our record with God.

Mr. Beckley and Todd checked over the telephone parts again to make sure nothing else was broken. Everything looked okay, so they put it all back together again. But the phone still didn’t work. Then Todd discovered a tiny little switch below the earpiece. When he switched that on, the phone worked perfectly. That was the answer! Now they could talk from the workshop or the barn, and Mr. Beckley no longer missed his important telephone calls.

We can’t do anything to “repair” our sin problem, but God in His great love has provided the answer for it. He tells us in the Bible “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). All you and I have to do now is accept for ourselves that Christ Jesus died on the cross for our sins. His blood shed on the cross has the power to wash away every one of our sins so that we are clean in God’s sight. No matter how hard we try or how much we do, we can’t do anything to get rid of our sins. God’s solution to our sins was made by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and it’s the only solution there is. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

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

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

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/2025

Bear and the Porcupine

“Bear” is the name of a big furry dog. He is called “Bear” because his head looks something like a bear’s head and he has a very thick neck like a bear’s. The first few times I saw Bear he growled at me and I was scared, even though his owner, Brian, was standing right there.

Bear liked to hunt in the woods by his house. He was good at it, too. No small animal was safe, once he decided to track it down. None, that is, until Bear met “Mr. Porcupine.” Bear’s strength, his fierce growl and his great hunting ability didn’t do him one bit of good when he met the porcupine.

His first fight with the porcupine was the worst one he had. Without the help of Brian and the vet, Bear would have died.

Since Bear had never seen a porcupine before, he pounced on the porcupine and tried to bite him. The porcupine’s quills stuck not only into Bear’s nose, cheeks, chin and paws, but also inside his mouth and even in his throat! Poor Bear!

When Brian got home, he found Bear whimpering in pain and about as sick as a dog could be. Brian got a pair of pliers and pulled out all the quills that he could, but the ones in Bear’s throat had to be removed by the vet. The poor dog was in pain for at least another week and had to take medicine so the quill punctures wouldn’t get infected.

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

Doesn’t that sound dumb? But you know, boys and girls, we are a lot like Bear. We think we are strong, able to be good enough to go to heaven on our own good behavior. Sometimes it takes us a long time to learn that we can never be good enough.

That would be very bad news, except that the Lord Jesus came to take the punishment for our sins so we can be forgiven and go to heaven when He comes. He died and His blood was shed to wash away all our sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). That is good news, and I hope you have believed it for yourself. Best of all, the Lord Jesus rose again from the dead. This shows that all our sins were truly taken care of, and we can now have peace with God.

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Armadillo

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

In God’s creation, each species has special features that the Lord designed for that creature’s way of life. The name “armadillo” means “little armored ones” in Spanish, and armor covers the armadillo from the tip of its snout to its tail. Some species have solid armor on their tails, as well. The underpart of its body is not armored, but has soft skin covered in fur. Flexible and tough, the armor crosses the back of the armadillo in bands separated by flexible skin. The parts over its head, shoulders and tail are separate pieces from these. Though it looks like it is ready for battle, it is actually a peaceful animal.

All of its armor is helpful to protect it against attacks by large animals, but it also enables the armadillo to flee into thorny growth for protection without hurting itself. It has been given other ways to defend itself, too. Where the soil is soft, it escapes by digging rapidly with its long claws so it can settle down to protect its stomach, leaving only its armored parts showing. One variety can roll into a tight ball so it is completely protected by its armor.

Although the armadillo often has only a few teeth, it has a long, sticky tongue, like its cousin the anteater, used to catch great quantities of ants, termites, beetles and other insects. They also eat some plants, snakes, other small reptiles, amphibians and their eggs.

Armadillos have long, powerful claws, used to dig for safety, for food, and to make their burrows. With all their digging, they like to live where the soil is soft.

It is interesting to watch an armadillo cross a stream. Since it is able to hold its breath for as long as six minutes, it can walk along the bottom of the stream to reach the other side. If it decides to swim across a larger body of water, it swallows lots of air, which inflates its stomach and makes it able to float on the surface while it paddles along.

Females of the nine-banded species (the only armadillo that lives in the United States) have quadruplets, which means four identical babies. Other species have anywhere from one to fifteen babies.

Even though the armadillo looks so well protected, its armor isn’t tough enough to keep it safe from all its enemies. So, it knows to flee into thorns for protection. We aren’t strong enough to fight our spiritual battles alone either. David wrote in Psalm 143:9, “Deliver me, O Lord, from [my] enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me.” Adults need to run to the Lord to keep them from sinning just as much as children do!

Did You Know?

One variety can roll into a tight ball so it is completely protected by its armor.

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/2025

Olimpio the Faithful Shepherd

There is a deep crack in the earth called the Great Rift in the state of Idaho. While it is not very big in some places, it is quite deep and wide in other places. One of two geological formations like it on earth, it was caused by volcanic activity long ago when gasses and magma were active near the surface of the earth, and it exploded and threw out big rocks and left a big crack in the earth.

Sheep are raised and cared for by shepherds on open ranges in the western United States by the thousands. The farmers separate the sheep into groups of 1000 ewes (mother sheep) called “bands.” Each mother has at least one or two lambs, so one band is a lot of sheep. There is only one shepherd per band to take care of all those sheep, but he has a Great Pyrenees dog to help him. Great Pyrenees are big dogs which are rather ferocious. Their job is to protect the sheep from bears, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes and even men who would like to steal them. The shepherds also have Border Collies, another kind of dog, to help them move the sheep.

The life of the shepherd is a lonely life. Most of these shepherds come from Peru where they have grown up around sheep and goats, or perhaps llamas and alpacas, in high elevations. Because of their background with animals, these shepherds know how to speak a language most of us don’t know how to speak. It’s a kind of body language. Most of them are very timid and quiet. They look down and put their hand out gently to shake your hand when they meet someone. But they know how to communicate with the sheep.

Olimpio is one of these shepherds. He is from Peru, and he has been coming to the U.S. for about 25 years. He lives in a tiny trailer, like the one in our picture, for at least 10 months of the year. He works for a man named Henry who owns a lot of sheep. Henry sponsors Olimpio to come back year after year because Olimpio is a good shepherd. Jeremiah 23:4 says, “I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall not fear anymore, neither shall they be lacking.” “Neither shall any be missing,” it says in another translation for the end of that verse. Though this verse was written for another time, Paul says in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know Him.” We need to know God, and this verse in Jeremiah gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. It shows us that He doesn’t want anyone to be missing from His home in heaven. We need to decide: Will we listen to God and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, or will we refuse Him?

Olimpio was always on the move. At the time of this story, he had Henry’s sheep far out in the Idaho desert, near the Great Rift. Every day before the sun gets up, the sheep want to leave to get to fresh grass. Olimpio takes them in a different direction each day, so they can have that fresh grass.

One day when he took his sheep out, five lambs got too close to the Great Rift and fell in. The Great Rift is around 65 miles long, and it is different depending on where you are along those 65 miles. In some places you can step across it, but in other places it is wider than a building and up to 200 feet deep. The lambs fell into the crack in a spot where it didn’t kill them, but they couldn’t get out. They were deep enough that Olimpio couldn’t climb down to rescue them and then get back out safely. So Olimpio called the farmer, Henry, using his cell phone. He was about 50 miles away from where Henry lives.

At that time, the price for lambs was so low that it was costing Henry more money to raise a lamb than he could sell it for. As far as dollars go, the lambs were worthless to Henry. Henry had to drive on a two-track trail for 50 miles to get to them, a rough trip that would take him two hours. It seemed like a waste of his time. But Henry cared about his sheep. So he got in his pickup and drove out to help Olimpio rescue the lambs. He looked down in the crack, and he could see that one man would have to go down to rope the lambs, and one would have to stay back to pull them up. He had a lariat, which is a rope with a loop on the end that can tighten. Henry let Olimpio down into the Rift with the lariat.

As Olimpio went down, they heard a sinister warning ... rattlesnakes! Rattlesnakes like to den up in the winter in cracks in the ground where the cold of winter can’t reach them. At that time, the snakes were beginning to come out of their dens. As Olimpio started climbing down, there were a lot of these poisonous rattlesnakes, and they were shaking their rattles as if to warn him, “Don’t come too close.”

Do you know of a snake in the Bible? Satan was in the Garden of Eden like a snake. Eve listened to Satan, and he got her to question the goodness of God, take of the forbidden fruit, and eat it. It is because of this that we are all sinners, and the curse of sin is on us.

Olimpio went down in spite of the warning from the snakes. He figured out how to get to the lambs and not get bitten by the snakes. He put the lariat around each lamb and Henry lifted it up and returned it to his mother. There was not one missing when they were finished.

The lambs were “worthless.” It cost Henry more to drive to rescue them than they could ever return to him. And this makes us think ... why did God see value in me? In you? We don’t know, but I’m so thankful that the Lord Jesus took my sins on the cross so that I could come into a relationship with Him and His Father. If He hadn’t, I would never be able to get out of the deep chasm of my sins.

Olimpio the shepherd going down into the rift with the snakes was like the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd [gives] His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The Father sent Him down to this cursed earth. He wasn’t free from the curse of sin. When He died, He had a crown of thorns on His head, and they had beaten that crown into His head. There wouldn’t be thorns or death if there wasn’t sin. We are like those little lambs, lost in the deep chasm of sin and unable to get out. This is why we have to trust in the Lord Jesus to take our sins away, because we can’t do it on our own. But He will gladly do it for us. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He [has] put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:2). Have you trusted in Him-3 as your Savior? If you have, then the Lord Jesus is your Good Shepherd.

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

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fantastic Flamingo, Part 1

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

There are six species of flamingos, which are some of the most beautiful and outstanding birds in the world, famous for their lovely colors and S-shaped necks. They live throughout the world near water and mostly in tropical climates, including Florida in the United States, the Galapagos Islands and other places in South and Central America, and parts of Africa, Europe and Asia.

It is a beautiful sight to see a flock of these birds on a lake or in flight. Their colors range from pale pink to orange, and American flamingos can even be a deep scarlet. During the mating season, most flamingos are especially beautiful. Their feathers get special care to make them a more intense color, since the deepest colors show they are the healthiest mates. During nesting time, however, they lose this darker color and can even turn white while they are using their energy to care for their chicks.

The species known as the greater flamingo is the largest and most numerous. They can be six feet tall and can fly up to 40 miles an hour. The species called the lesser flamingo is the smallest. Both of these species live in Africa.

Each flamingo (regardless of species) has that S-shaped neck, a heavy body held high on long, thin legs and webbed feet. To sleep, it stands on just one leg with the other lifted up and held close to its body and its head resting on its back. The Lord designed it perfectly for this sleeping pose. It has ligaments and tendons that lock into place so that its body balances perfectly on top of its standing leg. Only half of its brain sleeps while the other half stays alert.

Its box-like beak is distinct from that of any other bird; the lower part is like a scoop and the upper part forms a curved lid. When feeding, it twists its neck so its beak is upside down in the water. Then it sweeps its head from side to side, letting water into its beak. It has special “strainers” that look like combs along the edge of its beak. These combs, called lamellae, let the water out but keep food in when the flamingo closes its mouth and pumps very rapidly with its tongue to expel the water.

Parent flamingos do a lot of work to care for their chicks, even losing their color during that time. If you are a child, do you ever stop to think about how much your parents do for you? The Lord wants us to obey and honor our parents. It would be good to tell your parents “Thank you” for all they do for you. That is a small way you can honor them!

(to be continued)

Did You Know?

The greater flamingo can be six feet tall and can fly up to 40 miles an hour.

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/2025

Red Tam

Mary had been staying with the McGregors for nearly two weeks, and it had rained every day. Finally, there was a nice day.

“I think I’ll just go for a walk,” said Mary.

Her hosts warned her that it wasn’t safe to go out on the moors alone because of a man called Red Tam. He robbed people, among other things. But Mary was sure she would be fine.

“If I see him in the distance, I’ll run home,” she promised.

It was beautiful outside. Mary enjoyed her walk and was sorry to head home. But it was rough walking, and she was stooping to get a stone out of her shoe when she heard a sad whine.

Unafraid, she guessed it must be a dog that had fallen into a nearby pit. She went to the side and looked in, and a dog lay at the bottom.

“You poor thing. I believe you’ve broken your leg,” Mary cried.

Mary had been learning nursing, and she was anxious to practice what she was learning. She scrambled down into the pit, getting scratched and disheveled before she landed near the dog. He had broken a leg and yelped in pain as Mary examined him. She tore a cloth in strips and wrapped his leg tightly. Then, a whine of pleasure told her that the dog was welcoming his master. Her heart jumped as she saw the rough-looking man with brick-red hair swinging into the pit. She knew at once that he was Red Tam.

She could not, however, run away. Swallowing her fears as best she could, she turned to greet the man.

“Your dog has broken its leg,” said Mary.

He stood glaring down at her. She didn’t want to show her fear. A moan from the dog turned her attention to it.

“Poor fellow,” Mary said, patting the dog, “is it very bad?”

The dog licked her hand and looked at its master.

Red Tam dropped down on his knees, and his face softened as he bent over the dog, murmuring kindly. Then he faced Mary. “I’m Red Tam McEwen,” he said proudly.

Mary smiled, for the man had lost his terror for her, and she felt sorry for him.

“I am so sorry your dog is hurt, Red Tam,” she said gently. “I have bound up his leg as well as I can, but it will be hard to move him. Do you live far from here?”

His jaw dropped as he looked at her.

“You are not afraid of me?”

Mary looked him in the face and smiled. “No,” she replied.

The man turned a darker red. Then he looked at the dog.

“You would not have done that for Roy if you’d known he was Red Tam’s.”

“Indeed, I would. Poor old Roy.”

Red Tam’s face twisted with
sudden emotion.

“He’s all I have,” he muttered. “All I have — and you’re not afraid of me?”

“I’m going to help you get your dog home,” Mary said. “Take off your cloak and let’s put him in it. It will hurt him if you try to carry him in your arms.”

He obeyed without a word, and they somehow managed to hoist Roy out of the pit. Tam strode on silently, with Roy carried between them. The hut, almost a cave, was not far off. Mary shuddered at the sight of it. When Roy was in his bed, Tam turned to her.

“Why did you do it?” he demanded tensely.

“Why?” she said very gently. “Because I was sorry for your dog, and — and I am sorry for you too,” and in a quick impulse she put out her hand.

He gripped her hand so strongly it nearly made her scream.

“You’re sorry for me?” he said harshly. “You don’t mean that, lassie! Ah, then you don’t know Red Tam. I’m a thief, lassie, and a villain who’s the terror of the countryside.”

“I know,” she replied. “At least, I heard. But I am not afraid—
only sorry.”

He dropped her hand and, sinking down on the ground, began to sob. It was perhaps the first word of kindness he had heard for years.

She laid her hand lightly on his shoulder, his loneliness and degradation touching her deeply.

“Red Tam,” she whispered, “God pities you too — and loves you.” And then she left.

That was the beginning of Mary’s acquaintance with Red Tam. She went several times to the cave hut on the moors, supposedly to ask about Roy, but really to talk to Roy’s master. It was not easy to win his confidence, but bit by bit the sad tale of a ruined life was told. A broken heart and bad friends were the beginning of his downward path, and Tam had learned how fast that descent can go.

Mary had serious talks with him about his soul. Memories of his youth and his mother’s love had been brought to life at her pity and opened the way to a dim understanding of God’s infinite love and forgiveness. Bitterly he would sob out his repentance, despairing of forgiveness at times, or repeating, “Him that cometh to Me I’ll in no wise cast out — no, no, not even Red Tam.”

Mary had a great interest in him — cast out by society, but found by Christ. Tam’s gratitude to her was great.

Two days before she was to leave the area, Harold McGregor took her on a drive. They were as happy as two young people could be who are soon to start their married life with God.

“What a steep hill,” Mary was saying, when click, something seemed to snap. Harold
turned white.

“The brake won’t work,” he said, hoarsely. “I — I—.”

He caught Mary around the waist with one arm, his other hand gripping the wheel. She understood in a flash. They were tearing downhill at top speed, and at the bottom was a gate and then another hill. If the gate had been opened, they might have been saved. As it was — she closed her eyes and hid her face on Harold’s shoulder, praying brokenly as she waited for
the crash.

Harold cried out, and she looked up.

Far ahead of them ran a figure in a ragged cloak. At its heels was a dog. Downwards the car rushed.

Mary felt Harold’s arm tighten, and then — a yelp, a cry — and the car was slowly crawling up the opposite hill.

“Wait here for me, darling,” he said in an odd voice.

The dizziness of fear had passed. She understood, clearer, perhaps, than he did.

“I am coming,” she said.

At the bottom of the hill Mary saw the open gate, and a figure in a ragged cloak lying across the road with a dog beside it.

“It’s Red Tam!” she said, in a choked voice. “He died to save me!”

In silence they went down the hill. She knelt beside Tam’s bruised and battered body, in which his spirit still lingered, as if anxious to give her its last message.

Red Tam’s face was white with pain, but the wide-open eyes had lost forever their look of bold defiance; a wonderful look of triumph and joy was now in them. His lips moved, and she bent low, sobbing as she tried to tell him thanks. But his thoughts were far from the self-sacrifice which stretched him there. “It’s true, lassie,” he whispered. “It’s true. ‘Him that cometh — I’ll in no wise cast out — no wise cast out’ — not even Red Tam. God bless you for that message.”

Mary knew that her friend was no longer Red Tam the outcast, but the lost son brought home to the Father’s arms. And what about you? Have you come to the One who said in John 6:37, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out”?

Memory Verse: “Let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:23-24

Messages of God’s Love 5/11/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fantastic Flamingo, Part 2

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

Flamingos live in large colonies, often near water that is slightly salty. Flamingos often mate for life and also have loyal lifelong friends. Once they find a mate, they build a nest. Often the female picks the spot, then both parents use their bills to scoop and pile mud to form a cone-shaped mound. They might add stones, straw, leaves or feathers to their nest, as well. They then create a shallow well in the top with their webbed feet where the female lays a single egg. If there isn’t mud, they use stones to make their nest. The nests are one to two feet high, which keeps the baby above the level of the water and from the more intense heat closer to the ground.

There may be thousands of nests close together in one colony. Each one looks identical, but every bird knows which is its own. Just one egg is laid each year. The parent flamingos share in incubating it for about a month and feeding the baby bird after it hatches.

The fluffy chicks are covered with white or gray down. Their bills at first are straight and their legs are short, but their legs grow quickly and their bills begin to curve after about 11 weeks. After two to three months they can fly and are full-grown in a year or two. However, they do not turn pink until they are two or three years old. At six years old, they are ready to be parents. With great displays of their pretty wings, necks, heads and legs, mates are chosen, and soon a new pair is building a nest and raising their first little chick. Flamingos can live 20 to 30 years in the wild, and some have lived up to 50 years.

Shrimp are one of the flamingo’s favorite foods, and it is the carotenoids found in them, along with that in the small crabs, algae and other foods they eat, which gives them their color. (Carotenoids are what give orange carrots their color.) Their bodies digest the carotenoids safely and absorb them into their fats. They are then deposited into their feathers and skin.

Flamingos’ beautiful coloring is because of what they eat. Did you know that what we are feeding on also shows in our lives? I’m talking about our mental food, not the food we eat. The Lord Jesus is the “bread of life” (John 6:48), and if we read the Bible and think about Him, we will grow more like Him. But if we feed on the polluted food that this sinful world offers us, things like worldly entertainment or books that tell of bad things, our lives will be affected in the wrong way. What are you “eating”?

Did You Know?

Flamingos often have loyal lifelong friends.

Messages of God’s Love 5/11/2025

The Stolen Bible

“Mother! I won a prize!” exclaimed John as he ran in the door. He happily showed her his new Bible ... it had a black cover with gold-edged pages and inside the cover there was written:

John Harrison
A prize for good conduct
and attention to learning
From Langford Sunday School

John and his mother lived in England many years ago. John’s father had been a fisherman. He had died when John was very small, leaving John and his mother in their little home not far from the ocean. John and his mother were so poor that at the age of 12 John started looking for a job. He couldn’t find any work near home, so he decided to look for a job on a ship. His mother helped him pack his clothes in a bundle, and he put his Bible in his pocket. “Be sure to read a chapter every morning and night as you have always done with me,” his mother said. “Do not let your shipmates’ bad examples or mockery keep you from doing this. Good-bye and God bless you, my son.”

John promised his mother that he would do that, and after a prayer that God would guard him and help him keep his promise, he started on his 12-mile walk to the ocean.

John soon found work on a ship. He was a quick learner, and he worked hard. The ship had a kind captain, and he encouraged John to obey his mother’s request to read his Bible every morning and night.

But soon things were not so pleasant. Many of the other sailors made fun of him when they saw him reading his Bible and praying. James Evans, one of the sailors, did all he could to disturb John, and one day while John was busy working, James took John’s Bible and hid it. When John reached under his pillow for his Bible that night, it was gone.

When the captain heard about it, he said, “One of your mates has played a bad trick, but you shall not disobey your mother’s wishes. I have a Bible which my mother gave me when I first went out to sea, but, sadly, I was not like you. I put it aside and never read it. But now, by God’s blessing, I will change that. I want you to come down to my cabin every morning and every night and read a chapter to me.”

When the ship reached England again, John had a month at home before going back on board the ship. During that month the captain came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. One of the first things he said to John when he saw him again was, “My lad, we must still have our daily readings together. And what is more, I intend to have prayers morning and evening on board my ship!”

On this trip, the ship had not gone far when a violent storm came up, and James Evans was badly hurt by a falling mast. He slowly got worse, and finally, he called for the captain and John. James had an interesting confession to make. He said, “John, in trying to hurt you I have done myself good. Do you know what this is?” He pulled John’s treasured Bible out from under his pillow. James told John and the captain that one day, out of curiosity, he picked up the Bible to read it and it opened to Luke chapter 15, where he read the story of the prodigal son. It made him remember what his own mother had taught him as a boy and he realized what a sinner he had been. But he also read about God’s love and willingness to forgive sinners because of the Lord Jesus’ death on the cross. James believed what God said about forgiving sinners and got peace and joy. He asked John to forgive him for stealing the Bible, and he died thanking God for the gift of His Son.

John worked for his kind captain for many years, and when the captain retired, John became the captain of the ship. He always took his Bible with him and read it morning and night to his sailors. Only God knows how many more people were saved through John and his Bible.

Have you been saved by John’s Savior? The Lord Jesus is always ready to save anyone who knows that they are a sinner and need Him to save them from their sins. And if you already know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, do you read your Bible every day? The Bible is a special book, not like any other book, because it tells us about God and about things that will last forever. It is like a big treasure chest, with so many treasures in it that you will never discover all of them, no matter how many years you read it! Jeremiah said about God’s words: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). David said of God’s words: “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). The Bible is more precious than gold, sweeter than honey, the joy of my heart. I hope you come to love the Word of God like David and Jeremiah did! And, like John, don’t be afraid to let others see that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. You may help others come to know our wonderful Savior!

Memory Verse: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/2025

Jaco

Jaco was a large black dog who knew how to act ferocious. He would show his teeth and growl at strangers. His owner, Mr. Alan, had taught him to do that because he worked at the prison in the next town and he didn’t want any escaped prisoner to cause him trouble. But underneath that ferocious act, Jaco was a happy, fun-loving dog.

Jaco had no other dogs around to play with, so he made fun for himself. The neighbor children saw him do this when Mr. Alan rotovated his garden. Jaco would take his tennis ball, run and drop it in front of the tractor and then scamper out of the way to wait. When the tractor passed where he had left the ball, Jaco would run to the freshly plowed earth, sniffing excitedly until he smelled his ball. Then dirt would fly from his hind legs until he found the ball, and he would run around to the front of the tractor to do it again.

Jaco was a smart dog and he knew this action would have fun consequences. Do you know what consequences are? They are what happen because of what we do. When we’re kind, the consequences are good, but when we’re mean, we can expect bad consequences. People sin and God says that sin comes with the consequence of death. But God loves us, and He knows we are all sinners, so He provided Jesus to pay our debt of sin. Jesus took our punishment on the cross so now we don’t have to suffer the consequences for our sin. A good prayer is: “God, be merciful to me a sinner, and please save me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” (See Luke 18:13.)

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fish With an Unusual Eye

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

Perhaps the only thing most people know about a flounder fish is that it is good to eat and can be purchased year-round. There are two unusual things about this fish, however. It can change its color to match its surroundings as it moves from place to place, and early in its life one of its eyes changes location.

When it first hatches, a baby flounder looks like a typical fish. But within a few weeks it goes through a metamorphosis. Its body begins to flatten and one of its eyes changes location. While one eye remains in place, the other eye begins to move up and over the top of the head — a little bit each day for 30 to 40 days — until it comes to rest beside the one that hasn’t moved. (In some species the right eye does the traveling; in others, the left eye.) Muscle grows under the eye that will move, to push it over to the other side. Also, its skull is pliable to make this move easier.

Why do you suppose the Creator provides this kind of change to these fish? The reason is that the flounder is a member of the “flatfish” family which will spend most of its life lying flat on its side in the sand or muddy bottom of the ocean floor, snatching whatever food comes by. If both eyes remained in their original place, one eye would be of no use and would be harmed by the sand or mud on which it was lying. So the Creator provided this way of placing both eyes where they are useful.

A flounder’s eyes stick up from its head on stalks. This allows it to bury itself in the sand with only its eyes showing. In this way, they can be very hard to see yet still able to watch for their next meal. The stalks also give them good vision for seeing their surroundings. This is important because their brains get the signal from their eyes as to what colors the fish should mimic so that they will be well-camouflaged as they lie there waiting for their next meal.

What if a flounder could talk and it said, “Why do I have to have both eyes on one side of my head and lie still for most of my life, while other fish get to swim around with their eyes in normal places?” We know they don’t question the wisdom of their Creator, nor even think of Him. But what about you? If you have something in your life or your body that is different from other people, do you complain about it? Or do you trust the Lord that He has done the very best for you because He is good to all, as our opening verse says?

Did You Know?

A flounder can change its color to match its surroundings.

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/2025

Willie Holt

A little bugler named Willie Holt once lived in a regiment in the army. His father had been killed in action, and his mother died six months later. He was too weak for the life he had to lead, but he had been born in the regiment, and they decided to use him for this simple job.

One week, the Colonel of the regiment heard about some wrong things that had been done, and he decided that the next time there was a problem, the guilty person would be beaten.

One morning it was reported that, during the night, the shooting targets had been thrown down and vandalized. The act was traced to the very tent where Willie Holt lived. All in the tent were put under arrest, to be tried by court martial. The Colonel pled with them to produce the guilty man, but they refused. Finally, he said, “If any of you who slept in Number 4 tent last night will come forward and take his punishment like a man, the rest will get off free. But if not, there remains no choice for me but to punish you all — each man in turn to receive ten strokes of the cat.” (The “cat” was a whip with nine cords.)

For a couple of minutes there was dead silence. Then from the middle of the prisoners, where his thin body had been completely hidden, Willie Holt came forward.

He walked to within a couple of yards from where the Colonel sat; his face was very pale but determined.

“Colonel,” he said, “you have passed your word that if any one of those who slept in Number 4 last night comes forward to take his punishment, the rest shall get off free. I am ready, sir; please, may I take it now?”

For a moment the Colonel was speechless, completely taken by surprise. Then in a fury of anger and disgust he turned on the prisoners.

“Is there no man among you worthy of the name? Are you all cowards enough to let this lad suffer for your sins? That he is guiltless, you know as well as I.” But stubborn and angry, they stood there without a word.

Never had the Colonel been in such a painful situation. He knew his word must stand, and Willie knew it too. So, he gave the order, and Willie was led away for punishment.

He stood with his back bared, as one — two — three — strokes descended. At the fourth, a faint moan escaped his white lips, and before the fifth fell, a cry burst from the group of prisoners who had been forced to witness the scene. With one bound, Jim Sykes, the black sheep of the regiment, seized the cat, as, with choking, gasping words, he shouted, “Stop it, Colonel, stop it, and tie me up instead. He didn’t do it; I did,” and he flung his arms around the boy.

Willie lifted his eyes to the man’s face and smiled.

“No, Jim,” he whispered, “you are safe now; the Colonel’s word will stand.” His head fell forward — he had fainted.

The next day as the Colonel was going to the hospital tent where the boy was, he met the doctor.

“How is the boy?” he asked.

“Sinking, Colonel,” he said.

“What!” he exclaimed, horrified beyond words.

“Yes, the shock of yesterday was too much for his feeble strength.”

The dying boy lay propped up on pillows and, half kneeling, half crouching at his side was Jim Sykes. The change in the boy’s face was startling; it was deathly white, but his big eyes were shining with a wonderful light. He was talking earnestly. Neither of them saw the Colonel.

At that moment the kneeling man lifted his head. There were drops of sweat on his forehead as he muttered, “Why did you do it, lad? Why did you do it?”

“Because I wanted to take it for you, Jim,” Willie’s weak voice answered. “I thought if I did, it might help you to understand a little bit why Christ died for you.”

“Christ has nothing to do with such as me, lad. I’m one of the bad ones.”

“But He died to save bad ones — exactly for them. He says, ‘I came not to call the righteous but sinners,’ and, ‘Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.’ Dear Jim,” Willie’s voice pleaded, “shall the Lord have died for nothing? He has poured out His precious life-blood for you. He is knocking at the door of your heart; won’t you let Him in?”

Willie’s voice was failing, but he laid his hand gently on the man’s bowed head, as he sang:

Just as I am without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God — I come.

... touching the heart of every man who heard it. Then gradually the light faded from his eyes, and the spirit of the boy fled to God.

And now, what about you? Have you believed and received the gift of God which is eternal life, the gift He offers you because the Lord Jesus loved you enough to die for your sins? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Memory Verse: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Messages of God’s Love 5/25/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Snails Can Be Beautiful

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

Most of us do not think of snails as being beautiful, and some people only think of them as pests in their gardens. But God can see the beauty in everything He made, and sometimes we can, too, if we look at them more closely.

Even the common garden snail has a rather pretty spiral house on its back. This simple-looking shell has three important layers. The outside of its shell is often rough. It protects the shell from scratches and gives it its color. The middle layer is soft and spongy and helps absorb force from predators. The inside layer is smooth and looks like mother-of-pearl. This shell has been designed by the Creator to provide a safe, comfortable home for the snail.

When the common garden snail hatches from its underground egg, it is fully formed, complete with a soft, tiny shell. It must immediately find food. The first thing it eats is its own calcium-rich egg shell, which helps harden its new, soft shell. Although it has poor eyesight, the Creator gave it a strong sense of smell to find what it needs. A snail’s tiny tongue, in a mouth the size of the head of a pin, can have over 25,000 teeth. So, when the snail arrives to what it has smelled, this tongue makes quick work of destroying tender plants. This is one reason why gardeners do not like them.

Another objection to snails is that they leave sticky trails behind them, not appreciated by many people. But this trail is the snail’s safe path through life as its soft belly crawls over rough, dry surfaces. Made by mucus from glands in a snail’s body, this trail makes a soft, elastic cushion that is moist and so tough that it can even crawl over the sharp edge of a razor blade and not be cut! It also helps a snail stick to vertical things, like walls. So it’s both a slide and glue ... who but God would create that for a common snail?

A few things about snails make them popular with some people. Certain kinds of snails are thought to be good food by some people. Also, one snail called the decollete, instead of eating plants, kills and eats garden snails. This one is a real friend to gardeners. And some snail shells are so beautiful that collectors will pay a lot of money for them!

So, the pesky little garden snail is an amazing creation of God’s. But that little tongue that is so destructive ... ! The Bible talks about our tongue, and it can be very destructive, too. Here is one thing God says about it: “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ... Out of the same mouth [proceed] blessing and cursing” (James 3:8,10). The next time you see a snail, ask the Lord to keep your mouth from being destructive, like the snail’s mouth!

Did You Know?

A snail’s tiny tongue, in a mouth the size of the head of a pin, can have over 25,000 teeth.

Messages of God’s Love 5/25/2025

Tillie on Thin Ice

“Do you want to go out, my darling Tillie?” an old woman dressed in a robe asked in a soft voice as she shuffled to the front door.

“Meow,” was Tillie’s response.

The woman and the cat had lived together for 21 years. They knew each other’s habits. The lady knew the cat would wander in and out of the bushes in the front yard for a few minutes and then wait at the front door to be let inside out of the cold.

Both were growing old. They could not hear, nor see, nor smell, nor move as easily as they did when they were younger.

What happened to Tillie? No one really knows because cats can’t talk, but when Tillie was in the front yard, she got spooked, and she ran like her life depended on it.

Past several houses, across a street, and out into a park she raced. She was so spooked that she never looked back to see what was chasing her. All her mind told her was to run, run, run. The park was by a lake. On this day in early December there was a thin sheet of ice over much of the lake.

Too bad she didn’t stop before she ran out onto the sheet of ice! The pads of her feet slipped on the smooth ice. She had to slow down to keep from falling. Only when she came to a patch of open water on the lake did she stop. In her confusion, she started walking in a small circle in the middle of a small lake that was barely frozen over.

A lady and a young man were walking on a trail next to the lake. They didn’t know each other. Both paused in their walk because they saw Tillie circling the hole in the ice.

“Poor cat,” said the lady.

“Looks like a very old one,” said the young man.

“If something isn’t done, it will for sure fall into that open water.”

The young man nodded in agreement and then shrugged his shoulders and asked, “But what can we do?”

The woman looked around and saw a little wooden dock sticking out from shore. On this pier was a little white rowboat barely big enough for two people.

“We can put that boat into the water. The ice is so thin, it will break easily. We can paddle out to the cat and rescue it. I am willing. Are you?” she asked her newfound friend.

The young man cast another glance at the cat and hesitated just briefly. “Let’s do it,” he replied with determination.

In less than a few minutes, they had dropped the small boat onto the lake. The ice broke easily under it. They were about to climb into the boat when they realized they had a problem.

“Oh no,” the woman said. “We have no paddle!”

The young man looked around. A paddle was not in sight, but something else was. “This will have to do,” he said, and he hurried to a nearby shed and grabbed a snow shovel that was leaning against its wall.

Crack, crack, crack went the ice as the boat went through it. The woman was in the front and the young man with the snow shovel paddled in the back. In a few minutes they neared the cat. When they got close, the ice broke beneath the cat and Tillie was plunged into the water. For a moment, the two in the boat thought they had lost her. Then her head bobbed above the water. The cat was gasping for breath. The woman in the front of the boat reached over the side and grabbed the cat by the scruff of her neck. She then scooped up the cat, dripping with icy, cold water, into her arms.

The poor cat was frigid and frightened. The woman held it close, cradling it like a baby against her body to keep it warm. When they got back to shore, they brought the cat to an animal shelter, and later that day Tillie’s owner came and got her. What a happy reunion! That day, Tillie’s owner decided that her cat was too old to go outside by herself anymore.

That poor cat on thin ice almost lost her life. If it were not for her two rescuers, she probably
would have.

Do you know that without the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, we are in worse danger than Tillie on thin ice? When a person comes to the end of this life, they will enter either heaven or hell, and there they will stay, forever. Tillie was almost lost, but if you die without the Lord Jesus, you will be lost forever.

The good news is that the Lord Jesus came to earth to save you from hell, if you will believe on Him. To be able to save you, He died on Calvary’s cross after suffering for sins. He said “It is finished” (John 19:30) right before He died. Then He rose again from the dead. That proves that He fully paid for all of the sins of those who believe on Him.

Memory Verse: “Jesus ... said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/2025

Your Tongue

What is your tongue like? Did you know it can be full of poison? James tells us, “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). I don’t want to have a poisonous tongue, do you? Thankfully, the Lord Jesus can tame our tongues if we let Him. Check off which of these things are good things to do with your tongue today:

Say “Thank you.”

Spread untrue stories about someone.

Pray to God.

Make excuses when you’ve done something wrong.

Talk to a lonely person.

Tell someone about the Lord Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Lowly Sparrow

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29,31

This plain little bird is known as the house sparrow because it makes its nest around houses, barns or other buildings. It is also called the English sparrow since the British first introduced them to North America in 1850 in an attempt to control caterpillars that were damaging trees where they lived in Brooklyn, New York. Others were introduced in other parts of the United States over the next 25 years, and these persistent birds spread all over the United States and up into Canada and in many parts of South and Central America. Only Alaska and far northern Canada do not have these birds in North America.

Although we see many sparrows hopping about on paved streets and sidewalks in cities, they also live in brush beside cultivated fields, but almost never in completely natural habitats. Near people, they find food more easily.

Sparrows prefer to nest near houses, on parts of houses, on street lights, or pretty much anywhere other than natural nesting spots like holes in trees. They defend their nests quite fiercely.

Scientists have found that young sparrows’ food has to be at least 70% larvae and insects. As they grow, the amount of “living food” drops to only 3%, while adult sparrows feed almost entirely on seeds. Since the parents must feed the little ones until they mature, how do they know that the babies need a diet so different from their own? They could only have learned this from God, the One who created and watches over them.

The sparrow can see a wider range of colors than people can. Also, since its eyes are on the side of its head, it can see ahead, to both sides and slightly behind itself. This permits it to keep alert for hawks, buildings, trees and other objects while flying. But it has less ability to see in three dimensions than we do, since its eyes don’t work together quite like ours do.

There is a “pecking order” in flocks of sparrows, just as with chickens. You can spot the older and more dominant males of the flock by looking for the larger black spots on their throats.

How amazing it is to think that God knows about the death of even a small, common bird like the sparrow which many people consider a pest. But everything matters to Him who watches over all living things. He sees each little sparrow that falls, but He cares about you and me much, much more, because He says, “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Did You Know?

Young sparrows’ food has to be at least 70% larvae and insects.

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/2025

A Scary Elephant Ride

Have you ever wanted to ride on an elephant? You might find it fun for a little while. However, we had to take a long trip on elephants one day, and we did not enjoy our elephant ride!

Sarah and I were missionaries in a country that used elephants for travel. We had just visited a village we had never visited before, some distance from where we lived, and now we were on the backs of two elephants, tramping through wet jungle on our way home. As we brushed wet leaves from our faces and caterpillars out of our hair and from down our necks, we looked forward to getting home and having baths and sleeping in our own beds.

But our trip got worse. Soon we had sores at every spot where our bodies rubbed against the howdahs. Howdahs are the baskets you sit in on elephants’ backs. Mosquitoes, flies of all sizes, and many other insects feasted on us, and we soon had many swollen, itchy and sore bites. Our elephant drivers lost their way through the “caterpillar” jungle, and we wandered around for a long time before they found the trail again.

Then it started to rain — not a gentle rain, but a tropical downpour with strong winds that blew our umbrellas inside out. We had to close them and put them beside us in the howdahs, so we were soon soaking wet.

The downpour continued, and we could see that there were running streams of water in places where there had never been a watercourse before. And where there had been streams, they were now rivers. But finally, we came to the last river we had to cross that day, not far from where we lived.

Usually this river was so shallow it didn’t even reach our knees. Now it was so deep that, if it hadn’t been moving so fast, I might have thought it had turned into a lake. The rocks and boulders were completely covered. I couldn’t guess how deep the water was, but one look at the faces of the elephant drivers and we knew we were in real trouble. Seeing the churning water carrying huge clumps of bamboo and entire trees and logs downstream, I could understand why they were frightened to cross it. We were frightened too!

Sarah was on a larger elephant than I was on, and she was terrified for me. And she was right — I was in for trouble in the deep, rushing river. My smaller elephant plunged into that river, and the next thing I knew my howdah suddenly tipped over! Water poured over me ... but then we were right-side up again, and the elephant was climbing out on the other side of the river. Even in that short time, we had been carried about 300 feet downriver from where Sarah’s elephant had climbed out of the water.

Have you ever been afraid of something? Perhaps you are afraid of a teacher, or a test, or a bully at school, or even of the dark. Maybe you have a serious illness and you are afraid to die. Did you know that the Lord Jesus loves you and He can carry you safely through whatever problem you face that scares you? King David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4). Death is probably the scariest thing that any of us will ever face. But even that did not make King David afraid, because he knew the Lord loved him and was his Shepherd. If you have trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, then He is also your Shepherd. The Lord Jesus died not only so that He could wash away your sins, making you His very own, but also so He could take care of you in all of your problems, big or small. He tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to “[cast] all your care upon Him; for He [cares] for you.”

As a Christian friend helped us down from our elephants, he was amazed that we had crossed that swollen river safely. He knew that the miracle that day was not that the elephants had crossed the flooded river safely, for elephants can swim and they even like water. But when elephants swim, they use muscles that make their stomachs get much larger — and it was right around their stomachs that moldy ropes were tying our howdahs onto their backs! The miracle was that the ropes holding our howdahs had not broken as our elephants swam through that river.

And so, boys and girls, you never need to be afraid if you have trusted the Lord Jesus as your Savior. He is strong enough to carry you through any problem you have. Just ask Him to help you, and He will, because He loves you so much.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3).

Memory Verse: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/2025

A Letter From Grampa: Chelsea

Dear Children,

I want to tell you about our new dog, Chelsea. She is a smart Dalmatian who can do a lot of tricks. She learned how to help open the door. When I turn the doorknob, she gives the door a shove with her nose and runs into the house. I thought this was smart until a few days ago.

It had rained during the night, but this did not stop Chelsea and me from going on our walk. I like to feed the wild geese and ducks at the pond, and Chelsea ran around having a good time. I wasn’t watching her, because I was watching the birds.

When we got back to the house, I turned the doorknob, and Chelsea gave the door a shove with her nose and ran into the house and down the hall to find Gramma!

I wasn’t ready for what happened next. There was a scream from Gramma. “Get that dog out of this house! She’s all dirty!”

Chelsea headed for the back door!

Chelsea and I went to the barn. I got a pan of water and washed her off. She didn’t like being washed, but it had to be done before she was allowed back into the house. When we were done, she looked brand new! I dried her with a towel, and when we got to the door, I told her, “OK, come on in; you’re clean.” Then, Chelsea was so happy to see Gramma!

You know, children, this reminds me of heaven. It is a beautiful, clean place, and only those who have their sins washed away in the precious blood of Christ will ever enter there. Sin is like dirt. It sticks to us. Lying, stealing, swearing, cheating and all the rest of our sins must be removed before we can enter into heaven. When we get there, how happy we will be to see Jesus, who loved us so much that He died, and His blood was shed, for us!

First John 1:7 says: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin.” That’s a good verse to memorize. It tells us how we can have all our dirty sins washed away so we will be welcome in heaven, just like Chelsea had to have all the dirt washed off before she could go in the house.

Lots of love, Grampa

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: About the Salmon

“Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.” Job 12:8

A salmon begins life as an egg laid in the gravel bed of a cold mountain stream. When the egg hatches, the tiny salmon lives a few weeks on nourishment from the yolk sac which is still attached to it. After it is done with this sac, it leaves its gravel bed to live in the stream. In pools of the river, mosquitoes breed in great numbers, and their larvae may become the main food of the young fish.

After spending five months to three years in fresh water, depending on the species, instinct causes the young salmon which have survived being eaten until then to swim toward the ocean. With hundreds or thousands of other young salmon, it begins the long trip to the ocean.

After a long swim downstream, the young salmon stay in the mouth of the river for up to several weeks. Here they finish adapting to the salt water of the ocean. This process, called smoltification, began as they traveled downriver. It affects their color, changing it to a silvery color to better camouflage them in the ocean. It also affects their gills. Special cells called “chloride cells” need to change how they act in order to pump extra salt out of their bodies. And their kidneys make less urine, to conserve water in the salty environment of the ocean.

The young salmon spend up to eight years in the ocean, feeding and growing larger. When fully grown, the salmon, weighing up to 126 pounds, turn back toward the mouth of the river where they entered the ocean. There the process of smolting is reversed so they can once again live in fresh water. Then, up the river they travel, fighting their way against the current until they arrive at their exact birthplace. On the way, they may have to jump waterfalls over ten feet high and cover up to 34 miles a day. Large numbers make the journey together, and some studies suggest that they work together to find their way “home.”

At their final destination, a female makes a trench in the gravel bed with her tail. There she lays thousands of eggs, which are soon fertilized by a male. She covers the eggs with gravel to keep them safe while they develop. Most Pacific salmon then die and their bodies become food for other creatures. They literally give their lives to provide life for their offspring.

Who made the salmon so it would change in all the right ways to be able to move from a river to the ocean and then back again? It was God who created them in that way in the beginning. As we see His wisdom in all of His works in creation, we can learn that His wisdom is available for us, too, to guide us and help us with all of our circumstances as we go through life.

Did You Know?

A salmon begins life as an egg laid in the gravel bed of a cold mountain stream.

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/2025

Wanted!

Joe was a Native American who lived many years ago. He had done so many crimes that a reward was offered to anyone who would turn him in to the police because of all the murders and other crimes he had done.

Since Joe was a wanted man, he decided to move far away. A group of missionaries happened to be traveling by the place he lived, and Joe volunteered to be the driver of one of their wagons, since they were going to the country of a different Native American tribe far away.

Being with Christians did not turn Joe into a good person! He hated their religion. Whenever he saw a hymnbook, he would scowl at it as if it were a snake. He disliked the Bible even more, and when one was being read, he would go where he couldn’t hear it. On Sunday, since he wasn’t needed to drive, he would go off with his gun and spend hours shooting whatever animals he could find, so that he could be far out of range of hearing the Word of God.

As the wagon train went on its way, one Sunday in the middle of July it was so hot that Joe did not want to take his usual walk. He lay down in the shadow of one of the wagons, carefully choosing a wagon belonging to a missionary who was not supposed to do the preaching that day.

But the preacher whose turn it was to preach was so overcome by the heat that he had to be excused, and the owner of the very wagon under which Joe was lying offered to take his place. Soon the little group gathered around the wagon Joe was under, and the meeting began.

Joe had been half asleep, lying comfortably on the long grass under the wagon. He was furious at being disturbed. To lie still while hymns were being sung and to see the Bible opened were too much for him. He would move. Rising to his feet, he stretched himself and started off. But the heat was intense, and Joe felt too lazy to move. He again threw himself down on the grass, and there he lay, on his back, right in front of the preacher, his angry eyes glaring at him.

“Lord, help me to preach to Joe,” prayed the man inwardly, as he saw the opportunity he now had. Forgetting everyone else, he told of the love of God to all people. He said that though God gives us rain and sunshine, animals and birds to eat, as well as corn and fruit, yet people do not love Him in return. Indeed, instead of loving Him, they hate Him, His servants, and His Book. But did He send lightning to strike them down for their hatred? No, He had given His Son to die, to put away their sins. He had shown His love to them, to the worst of them, even to murderers, and if they would only believe in His Son, He would forgive them and make them His dear children.

Soon Joe was watching the speaker intently, and the preacher saw the anger fading from his eyes. God says, “My word ... shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Joe did not forget that sermon. One day, as he walked beside a different missionary, he said, “Didn’t the preacher tell awful lies that hot Sunday?”

“Lies, Joe? I did not hear any.”

“He said God loved wicked people. Wasn’t that a lie?”

“Not at all, Joe; it is in God’s Book. ‘God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins’” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

“But wasn’t that an awful lie, that the Father gave His Son?”

“No, Joe, that is also in God’s Book. ‘In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 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 4:9-10).

Then Joe said, “But it must be a lie, that He was preparing the beautiful country for them.”

“No,” was the answer. “That too is wonderfully true. It is also in God’s Book. Jesus the Son of God said to sinful men, whom He loved and had saved, ‘I go to prepare a place for you’” (John 14:2).

Such love as this was a new thing to Joe. It was like something hard around his heart had been broken, and now he had a longing to learn more of the love which passes knowledge. When they reached the mission station, Joe refused to go on, preferring to serve the missionaries, who were very happy about the change they saw in him. Joe learned more of the Word of God, which was now important to him, and one day he received the Lord Jesus as his own Savior and happily began to follow Him. So Joe, wanted by man for his sins, became a beloved child of God, because he was also wanted by God, for his good.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

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

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/2025

Whang's Treasure

When Whang Pam Oh was small, he got sick with smallpox and lost his sight. As was common in Korea for blind children in those days, Whang was trained as a witch doctor. But then he heard the gospel preached and accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. He destroyed the things he had used as a witch doctor, and he began to long to be able to read the Bible. Not knowing about Braille (a way for blind people to read, using their fingers), he was familiar with a device like an abacus (a counting machine). Whang got tin cans and cut thousands of small squares out of them. He put patterns of dents representing the letters of the Korean alphabet in each piece. Then, while a friend read the Bible slowly to him, he threaded the squares on strings to make verses. Once he had made a few chapters, he began to memorize them.

One day Whang heard that 300 miles from where he lived, there was a school that taught Braille. He decided to go. Given money to go by train, he gave the money to his wife instead, and he began to grope his way to the school. Again he was given money for train fare, and again he sent the money home. Finally, more Christians bought him a ticket and made sure he got on the train.

It took Whang only a month to learn Braille, and then he was ready to go home. Again, he was given money for his train fare but this time he did walk the whole way home! As he walked, he preached the wonderful gospel message and led his brother to the Lord.

Do you love to read and think about the wonderful things God has told us in His precious Book, the Bible? Samuel was very young when he heard the Lord speak and obeyed what He said. “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Desert's Joshua Trees

“I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see ... that the hand of the Lord hath done this.” Isaiah 41:19-20

While the trees in the opening verse don’t normally grow in deserts just yet, some trees do. The Lord has put Joshua trees in North American deserts, and many living creatures around them are helped by them. Joshua trees are found in the Mojave Desert in parts of Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California and in northwestern Mexico. A large grove of them can be seen as you drive through the Joshua Tree National Monument in southern California where the soil and rainfall are just right for them.

Some Joshua trees grow up to 40 feet tall. They have a thick, woody trunk, with an assortment of branches that end in clusters of thick, dark-green spikes. A large cluster of greenish-white flowers grows in the center of these spikes after the winter rains. New branches grow from the dried stalk after the flowers drop off, at many angles, but the branch that has flowered does not grow any longer.

The Creator has arranged that Joshua trees do not usually grow close together. Each tree needs plenty of space for its roots to spread out in order to collect enough rain as well as nourishment from the poor desert soil.

The Lord has placed them in the desert for a purpose. They shelter and support the lives of many animals, birds and other kinds of desert life. Many bird species build their nests in the crooks of Joshua tree branches. A wood rat nest may be built at the base of a pile of rocks using the Joshua tree’s spiny leaves for protection. Their branches and thick foliage provide hiding places for many animals and shade from the heat of the desert. Sweet nectar for pollinators is found in their flowers, while their fruit is a food source for various animals. Desert animals that eat this fruit help the Joshua trees by spreading their seeds around the desert.

Slow growers, Joshua trees only grow one-half inch to three inches per year. Since they don’t have growth rings like many trees, their age is estimated from their height. Their average lifespan is thought to be around 500 years, but at least one is thought to be up to 1000 years old.

The Joshua tree brings to mind a song that says, “Beneath the cross of Jesus, I want to take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land.” Just as the Joshua tree provides shelter and food for many animals in the hot, dry desert, faith in what the Lord Jesus did on the cross gives us safety from the judgment about to come to this world and access to all of the blessings that God has planned for us.

Did You Know?

Joshua trees don’t have growth rings.

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/2025

The Rich Man's Choice

A missionary in the East Indies was sitting one evening on a bamboo chair in front of the mission house. In front of him was a little table with some Bibles, New Testaments, and tracts in the language of the country. In the heat of the tropical sun the missionary had sat all through the long day, so that he could tell everyone who passed him the way of salvation and offer them a copy of the Word of God, the Bible. Most people had passed by without listening. Some had stood still for a moment, but then only laughed, and then mocked as they continued their walk. But there were some who had gone away with the Word of God in their hands and a serious look on their faces. Deeply moved and praying for these people, the missionary lifted up his eyes to watch the sunset.

He was just preparing to go into the house when a young man approached. It was obvious from his magnificent turban and his yellow silk garment that he belonged to the rich and distinguished caste of the Brahmins. As he drew nearer, he bowed to the missionary and seated himself on a mat.

“I have come,” he began, “to tell you that idolatry is a sin. I know from this Book that God is One and that Christianity is the truth. I am a disciple of Jesus, and in order to become so publicly, I ask you to baptize me.”

The missionary, having learned from the young Brahmin that his mother was living and that he had many friends, besides being wealthy and of good position, encouraged him to think hard about what he was about to do. He reminded the young believer that in getting baptized he might lose everything that he had — family, friends and property. But the Brahmin’s answer was serious: “I understand you, but I have applied the test. I have weighed in the balance, on the one side, the Lord Jesus Christ, His love, and His blood once shed for me — and on the other side, I weighed my rank, my friends and my numerous possessions. But the things were light indeed compared with the Lord Jesus. They were lighter than vanity itself. I have proved them to be so.”

The missionary found that there was a true heart in the rich Brahmin. Like Moses, he counted “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt” (Hebrews 11:26).

Not long after his baptism, the rich young man, who had before lived like a prince, found himself poor and lonely, forsaken by his mother and his family, deprived of caste, and robbed of his possessions. Even the lowest of his servants, who had previously almost worshipped him, now looked down on him and would have let him die without giving him any help ... so great is the power of darkness over the human heart. But what about the young Brahmin? He was a true, bright Christian. Like the Thessalonians in the Bible, he had left his idols to serve the living and true God. To earn a living, the once wealthy young man started working as a bookkeeper, at a very modest salary.

The Lord Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). This young man counted the cost and decided it was better to lose everything else in order to have a saved soul. Have you made that decision?

Memory Verse: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/2025

Obey Your Parents

“But, Mother,” I insisted, “I don’t want to go.”

Mother was kind about it, but there was no use arguing with her. “Yes,” she said, “Mrs. Dunn wants you, and you must go.”

I was remembering the dark little room in which the poor old lady lived alone, without much money or any family to cheer her. I tried another argument.

“I’ll go if you will come with me,” I said. But nothing changed my mother’s mind. I had to go see the old lady today, and I had to go alone.

We had few spare pennies in our house even for Mother, and for me there were none at all. So, the only way to get to Mrs. Dunn’s place was to walk, and it was a chilly March day in Canada. I was grumpy, and I did not want to go.

Life has some hard things to do. Have you found it that way? I later learned the story of a man named Moses who had things to do that were much harder than mine. But the Bible says “he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Hebrews 11:26). That means that he thought about the reward ahead for him. He left a king’s palace to go off into the desert, with no money at all because he cared more about the riches of the eternal God than he did about what he left behind. In fact, he left because his faithfulness to God rather than to the king had made the king angry.

When I started off to visit Mrs. Dunn, nobody was angry with me. So why was I grumpy? Do you become grumpy if you are asked to do something you don’t want to do? Do you know that God will reward obedience, if you do it for Him? God says, “Children, obey your parents” (Ephesians 6:1). God will reward you, if you obey your parents. He also said, “Honor [your] father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise)” (Ephesians 6:2). Honoring your parents is so important that God promised good things to those who did it. You can see what is promised in Exodus 20:12.

When I got to her house that chilly March day, Mrs. Dunn had a surprise for me. She knew that my birthday was coming up soon, and she gave me a whole dollar! One hundred pennies, all for me! That was the reason she wanted me to come, and I never guessed it. Suddenly all of my grumpiness was gone, and I ran all the way home.

“Mother,” I shouted, “she gave me a dollar!”

That dollar was special to me, but the reward God will give you if you obey Him will be much better than a dollar.

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Friendly Llama

Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

The llama is native to parts of South America, including the high altitudes of Bolivia, Chile and Peru. It is part of the camel family, although it has no hump. No longer found in the wild, it is raised for many reasons.

These nimble animals measure about four feet high at the shoulders and have bodies about six feet long. Their backs, sides and tails are usually covered with long hair ranging from white to black. They have large, alert ears and pretty, dark eyes shaded with long eyelashes. The Creator has provided them with thick, long hair to keep them warm in the chilly mountains.

Because they are exceptionally clean and odor-free and their feet are well-padded, some llamas become real favorites with an owner’s family, and even live inside the house as pets.

As pack animals, they can carry loads of 75 to 100 pounds and can travel 15 to 20 miles a day. They normally travel quietly, just passing occasional “hmmms” among themselves along the way. However, llamas can be very stubborn. If their load is too heavy, they lie down and refuse to get up until some of the load is removed. Some refuse to move at all if they are tired. They set their own walking pace on the trails and will not go any faster even if the driver tries to make them do so. But aside from these stubborn streaks, they are valuable and lovable animals.

While useful as pack animals, llamas are also valuable to their owners in other ways. They can be sheared like sheep for their hair, which is prized for its warmth. Even in a light yarn, their hair makes warm cloth because it has a hollow core, making it an excellent insulator against cold. They are also raised for their meat, hides and bones, and their dung makes good fertilizer.

Llamas are extremely social animals. Miserable if they don’t have another llama to live with, they will readily bond with other kinds of animals. This works well for farmers, who may use a male llama to guard a flock of sheep. These guard llamas take on the care of the sheep as if they were their own kind, bravely guarding them from predators. They kick or trample to death coyotes or even wolves, but if the animal is too large, they will be killed themselves unless their urgent calls bring help.

This is a lovely picture, even in an animal, of our opening verse. The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who not only died for us, but now lives for us in heaven. He is stronger than all our enemies. He is my Good Shepherd. Is He yours?

Did You Know?

Farmers use llamas to guard flocks of sheep.

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/2025

The Truck That Disappeared

José had a large truck that he used to carry supplies, and it was a big help to him in earning a living for his family. He lived in Bolivia, a country in South America where there are many mountains. José’s house was near a river. In the dry season he could drive his truck right through the river, because it was shallow. But in the rainy season the river got deeper and became a raging torrent. José built a strong stone bridge across the river in one place, so he could drive his truck across. However, the road went beside the river for miles, and he had to cross it in two other places to make his deliveries before returning home.

One day after some heavy rains, he was driving his truck when he realized that the river had washed out the road in front of him. He couldn’t go on. He decided to turn around and go back where he had come from. That was when he discovered that the river had just washed out the road behind him too! José was trapped on a piece of road with the raging river in front of him and the raging river behind him. There was a high cliff on one side of him and the river on the other side.

José didn’t know what to do. It looked like the river was still rising, and now he was concerned for his own safety. José’s only hope was to leave the truck where it was and get out to safety. So, he climbed up the cliff and then walked until he came to a town — safe!

A man in the town found out that José had left his truck in the middle of the river and said to him, “Sell me your truck.” José was worried about the truck, so he sold it on the spot for half of what the truck was worth. The man was pleased, but not for long. During the night the river rose even higher and washed the truck away. They never saw it again.

The man who bought the truck was quite angry when he found out that the truck had disappeared. He demanded his money back from José. But the judge in that town told the man, “You knew where the truck was when you bought it. The truck is yours. The money is José’s.”

We might think it was silly for the man to spend a lot of money on a truck that could soon get washed down a river, and it was. This reminds me of the verse that says, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). If you live only for this world, you will be like the man who lost his money and the truck, too. One day soon you will lose everything, including your own soul. This is because this world is going to be judged soon, and then everyone will have to face God. At that time God will send those who haven’t believed on the Lord Jesus to hell. But God loves us and doesn’t want any of us to go into hell. The Bible asks this question: “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7). In His great love to you, God is letting you hear this warning right now. The only way to flee from God’s wrath is by trusting in the Lord Jesus. He died to save us from the coming judgment. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and [you will] be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Memory Verse: “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/2025

Five Basic Rules of Courtesy … and God's Love

Courtesy means treating other people with politeness. In order to work or play happily together, we need courtesy. Here are five important rules of courtesy. You may know them already, but because we are human, we need to be reminded of such things often.

Rule One. When you enter a small group, greet each person in the group by name. You might say hello to them and give them a smile. This shows that each person is worthy of respect.

In God’s eyes, you are precious, not worthless. He knows your name. In fact, He knows everything about you. Because He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever, He sent His own dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to die for your sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [believes] in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Rule Two. Before asking anyone for something, use the word please. The word please comes first, not last, as if it’s an afterthought. Use the word please many times a day.

Did you know that God wants you to ask Him for good things? He is the greatest Giver. The best gift He wants to share with you is the gift of eternal life. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7).

Rule Three. When someone does something for you, say “Thank you.” Say it when somebody cooks for you, does your laundry or goes to work to earn money to provide for your needs. Say “Thank you” if someone gives you a gift. Say “Thank you” as often as you can.

After a person comes to the Lord Jesus, they should say “Thank you” to God many times a day for all He has given them and done for them. He loves to hear us say “Thank you.” “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Rule Four. Instead of interrupting a conversation, wait your turn to talk. When others stop talking, you can say what you have to say. Say “Excuse me” if you must interrupt. If we don’t do this, it is easy to come across as disrespectful.

The God who made you, made you able to choose. He lets you make choices about your life. However, since He is so great and loves you so much, He may interrupt your life with something hard if you don’t listen to Him. I hope you won’t make Him do that! “Today if [you] will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).

Rule Five. When you leave any group, say “Goodbye.” People like to be treated like people and not just an object or a thing. Saying “Goodbye” means you know they are there and you care about them.

Someday, if Jesus doesn’t come first, each one of us will have to say “Goodbye” to the people we love. But because of what the Lord Jesus did, those who trust Him will be welcomed home to heaven, and someday they will see again all those they love who love Jesus.

Sadly, when people who haven’t believed on the Lord Jesus as their Savior die, they will say “Goodbye” to friends, family and all things pleasant one last time before they are sent away to hell where all is dark and miserable. There will be no friends in hell.

If you follow these five rules of courtesy, I think you will have a happier life. However, if you want to be happy for all eternity, the one thing you must do and not leave undone is to trust Christ to be your Savior.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Unusual Incubator Birds

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

Among the many strange birds in Australia are those called incubator or thermometer birds. Incubator birds do not hatch their eggs by sitting on them, as most birds do. They use a very different method of incubation, from which they get their name. We will look at one called the Maleefowl.

These birds have very strong legs and feet. To build their nest, the male first digs a hole about 3 feet deep and 10 feet wide. Then he collects plant material and fills the hole. He is very careful about what he puts on this mound, as the mound is a nest that will incubate the eggs the female will soon lay in it. He picks just the right material that will decompose correctly to keep the temperature in the nest just right for the developing eggs. Once he has the nest at the perfect temperature, the female begins laying eggs. She will lay an egg every week or two for about six months, until she has laid up to 30 eggs.

Then the male continues to care for the nest, checking the temperature with his tongue and bill, keeping it at a temperature of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. He may add sand to protect the eggs from the sun if they’re too hot, or he may uncover the eggs to let the sun warm them up if they’re too cool. After months of hard work, the chicks hatch. They take up to 15 hours to fight their way out of the nest. Unlike many birds, they are completely ready to begin life on their own and get no further help from their parents.

How do these birds know how to build their nests, with no training from parents? What makes the newly hatched chicks know how to leave the nest? And how can the chicks take care of themselves without parents to teach them how? The only answer is that God made them with this knowledge.

We can see that it pleased the Lord to make a great deal of variety in His creation. Not all birds, animals, fish or other creatures follow the same way of life. Malleefowls with their unusual nests are one of the things He created for His pleasure (or purpose), as our opening verse says.

Have you ever thought that the Lord also made you for a purpose? People have the most wonderful purpose in all of God’s creation. We were made to glorify God. However, just like in the animal world, not all people are given the same work to do in life, but each of us has been made to reflect God’s image in some special way. I hope you think about that, and ask Him to show you His will for your life and how He wants you to use the special gifts He created you with.

Did You Know?

After hatching and escaping from their nest, maleefowl chicks are completely ready to begin life on their own with no further help.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/2025

Blind Suzy

Suzy is a little Chinese girl who was born blind. Her world was full of darkness, for she could not even see light. She had never seen the faces of her own mother and father, and, sadly, she could not even remember their voices, for they had taken her as a baby to the door of an orphanage in China and left her there. But our kind Father in heaven loves every boy and girl born into this world, and He did not desert this helpless, blind baby girl. He is the caring and loving “God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:6).

The blind Chinese baby was found where she had been left on the hard steps of the orphanage and picked up by kind people and given a bed and food. The people at the orphanage named her Suzy. She didn’t know it yet, but there were even better things ahead for her.

A couple in the United States decided that they wanted to adopt Suzy — to take her into their home to raise as their very own daughter. Even before they saw her, they had a lot of love in their hearts for her. And once they saw her cute little face, they loved her even more.

As Suzy grew, she brought a lot of sunshine into their lives, even though she lived in a dark world. But her kind parents wanted the very best for their little girl, and soon they were taking her to doctors to learn more about her blind eyes. They found out that she had cataracts (a clouding in the eye that interferes with sight) that were making it impossible for her to see. The doctors said an operation on each eye could remove the cataracts.

One amazing day after the operations, the bandages were removed and Suzy could see for the first time. How happy that made her! By then she was five years old. Finally, she could begin to learn so much more about the world around her. Suzy was one of the oldest children in medical history to see for the first time, and doctors were very interested to see how well she would learn now that she could see.

Wouldn’t it be sad if you couldn’t see the people you love or the beautiful world around you? Did you know that your heart, or your understanding, also has eyes? (See Ephesians 1:18.) God wants those eyes in your heart to “see” wonderful things about Him and not to be blind. Do you have a heart that “sees” the Lord Jesus by faith, and do you understand about His work on the cross to save you? If not, you can go to Him in prayer and ask Him to save you and to open the eyes of your heart. He loves to answer such prayers! When you are saved, you can continue to ask the Lord Jesus to help you know Him more and more and to understand the Bible, God’s special book. He loves to answer such prayers! He says, “[You] have not, because [you] ask not” (James 4:2).

“If any of you lack wisdom [or understanding], let him ask of God, that [gives] to all men liberally and upbraideth [scolds] not” (James 1:5). God is a loving Father who will never get upset with you for asking Him questions or asking Him for good things, and He will never scold you, no matter how many times you need to ask questions.

In Mark 8:22-26 you can read a story about a blind man who was healed by the Lord Jesus. The Lord healed not only his eyes, but also his understanding.

Memory Verse: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” James 1:5

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/2025

Lemon Meringue Pie

Paul watched as his mother carefully removed two beautiful lemon meringue pies from the oven and set them on the kitchen table.

“I don’t want you to touch these pies, Paul,” she warned. “They’re for dinner tomorrow.”

Paul promised that he would leave the pies alone. But that would be a hard promise to keep for a five-year-old boy who loved meringue! He could hardly wait for the next day to come when they could eat the pies. Meanwhile, he tried to forget about them.

But that night, Paul had to go through the kitchen on his way to bed. There on the table sat the pies. Paul looked around the room ... no one was in sight.

Tiptoeing over to the kitchen table, he reached out a small finger and scooped off a gob of meringue. Oh, it tasted soooo delicious! But what should he do about the big hole he had made in the meringue? His mother would be sure to notice it in the morning. Paul had an idea ... if he ate all the meringue, his mother might think she had forgotten to put any on. Soon he had eaten the meringue off both pies. Feeling rather guilty, and very full, he went to bed.

In the morning when Paul woke up, he remembered what he had done. He wondered if his mother knew. Then he heard voices in the kitchen. His mother and father were talking about pies — lemon meringue pies. His heart started pounding furiously; surely, any minute they would come into his room to ask him about them.

Climbing out of bed, Paul walked slowly to the kitchen, his knees shaking.

“Paul!” his mother exclaimed, when she saw him. “Did you eat the meringue off those pies?”

“Yes,” Paul mumbled with his head down. He felt miserable. He knew that he had disobeyed and that he deserved to be punished.

Paul’s mother was very unhappy about the pies. They were supposed to have guests for dinner that evening, and her beautiful lemon meringue pies were ruined! She had to start all over to make new meringue as quickly as she could.

But then, perhaps because of his honesty, even though Paul had disobeyed, his parents forgave him. Then they went even further and showed him kindness ... he got a piece of lemon meringue pie at dinner.

Did you know that showing mercy, or kindness, is something God loves to do? He tells us in His book, the Bible, that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), and “all” means you and me. We might not like to hear that, but we can’t hide anything from God, because God knows every single thing we have ever done. Thankfully, God also said that whoever confesses and forsakes their sins will have mercy ... kindness from God. (See Proverbs 28:13.) God can show mercy to you and me if we confess to Him that we are sinners and accept His gift of salvation. God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was punished for sins, so that God can show kindness and forgive sinners. And God does so much more than forgive us for our sins. In His kindness, He makes us His own sons and daughters, with so many wonderful gifts that we can only begin to discover them in this life!

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Your Amazing Brain

“Thus saith the Lord ... I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.” Ezekiel 11:5

Your brain is a three-pound marvel of pinkish-gray matter, so wonderfully made that only God fully knows how it works. Scientists try to understand it but will never fully be able to, for it is God’s special creation. People are impressed with what computers can do, but the fastest supercomputer in the world cannot match what your brain can do.

Researchers have learned many things about the brain. They know its 86 billion nerve cells are all interconnected. They know that almost every act of your body takes place only after the brain directs it. They know that what your ears hear and eyes see are sent to your brain to interpret and act on. They know that your brain lets the taste buds in your tongue tell you if what you’re eating is sweet, sour or bitter. They know that your brain’s gray matter, which processes things, grows fast around the age of six months, and it is the highest just before you turn six years old. But they also know that important brain connections in the prefrontal cortex aren’t fully developed until your late 20s. (The prefrontal cortex controls things like planning, prioritizing, and making decisions.) After it is fully connected, it starts to slowly decay. After you turn 50, that decay goes faster.

When God created people, He made our brains different and superior to all other creatures. Did you ever see a cow enjoy a beautiful sunset or a horse study a book? Did a monkey ever invent a complex piece of machinery or a hog write a poem? Of course not. Such things are done only by people, whom God made in His own image.

Scientists do understand some of the workings of the brain. They know which parts control many functions of the body. But they cannot explain how a person has a conscience that tells him that he has done something wrong. They cannot explain how people know there is a God, or why they react positively or negatively when they are told about Him.

In other words, although we can see the physical brain, we cannot see or explain the mind. Like our verse says, only God knows the mind, because it is one of the invisible wonders of His creation. It is through the mind that we understand things about God. It is only a mind enlightened by God that can understand what we read in God’s book, the Bible.

When we think of God knowing everything that comes into our mind, as our opening verse says, it could make us very uncomfortable! This is because we are sinners. Thankfully, 1 Timothy 1:15 tells us that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Did You Know?

The human brain has about 86 billion nerve cells.

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/2025

Who Brought the Doctor?

The sun was high in the sky as three children ran and played on the grass. The old farmhouse in the background looked quiet under the blue summer sky. But Mommy was sick, and she had been crying a little. Little Max tried not to think about her as he romped around the farmyard. Sometimes life is so unhappy and full of problems.

Suddenly their older sister burst outside through the front door. She flew off the porch, waving her arms and calling out, “Mommy’s dying! Quick, everyone come here!” Four frantic children gathered on the grass and looked helplessly at each other. “She’s turning purple, and she stopped breathing!” A little voice was heard. It said, “Let’s pray!”

“Oh, God, Mommy’s gonna die. Please help us!” They all said, “Amen.” Then little Max ran off to the barn.

Around the corner he went and over to the big bale of straw. He bowed his head. “Oh, God, please don’t let Mommy die. Daddy’s always away drinking. We’ll have nobody, if Mommy dies. What will we do?”

Suddenly Max heard a loud shout, and someone said, “A car’s coming!” He raced to the road with the others. They waved frantically at the car, the young voices all crying out at the same time. It must have sounded confusing, but the stranger heard one thing: “Mommy’s dying!”

The man raced into the house. The children stood by, wide-eyed, scarcely breathing as he worked with her and finally got her breathing. The stranger was a doctor!

Max could not thank the doctor enough. Max thought, There is a God, and He does answer prayer!

Later Max and the others learned that the kind old doctor was returning from Watford and shouldn’t have been on their road at all. Under the pleasant summer sky, he had been daydreaming, and he had missed his turn. He decided to drive on and take the next road. It wasn’t a mistake. God had sent him at just the right time to save Max’s mother.

The Bible says, “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses” (Psalm 107:13). God saw and heard Max behind the barn as he prayed. And He sees you and hears you too, whatever your problem might be. The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He [cares] for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Max didn’t really know the God he had prayed to. It wasn’t until years later that Max prayed another prayer. It was after he had grown up. Sadly, he had forgotten all about God. He thought he could enjoy life and have fun, doing his own thing. But then a man at work talked to Max about sin. He told Max he should turn away from his sin and trust in the Lord Jesus and he would be saved. Soon, Max prayed another prayer. It was, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Max was not the first person to say this short prayer that Jesus told about in Luke 18:13. The man in Luke 18 was forgiven, and Max found God’s forgiveness, too. That day he had the joy of knowing the God who had answered that prayer for his mother so many years before.

Have you ever prayed to God to save you from your sin? “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). It’s that simple.

Memory Verse: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:13

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/2025

Lost — $2000

October in Idaho is when farmers harvest the sugar beet crop. Sugar beets are used to make white sugar. A large machine called a beet harvester digs the beets out of the ground and loads them into trucks which haul them to the beet dump. Later they are cooked down to make white sugar.

Jaime worked for one of the farmers. One day he was asked to scrape the dirt road with a tractor to make it smooth for the trucks to drive on. That day as he went to work, he had his wallet in his pocket with $2000 in it.

Jaime’s brother-in-law in Mexico wanted to build a house. Jaime had agreed to loan him $2000 for that purpose. He had taken the money out of the bank and was going to exchange it for a money order to send to Mexico. He hadn’t sent it yet, and that day his wallet fell out of his pocket.

Later Jaime discovered that his wallet was missing, and he was terribly upset. He knew the wallet must have fallen out on the dirt road. All the next day he searched that road. Jaime told the farmer he worked for what had happened. The farmer told him that he and his family would ask the Lord Jesus to help him find his wallet. They also prayed that Jaime would find the true riches of salvation in Christ that can never be lost.

Five days went by and Jaime’s wallet still was not found. The sixth day as the beet harvester was loading beets onto a truck, one of the main chains on the harvester broke and got tangled up, scattering beets all around the truck. It would take time to fix this major break. The drivers helped pick up the beets and then they stood around waiting for the harvester to be repaired.

Two of the drivers, Liz and Kris, decided to take a walk. As they walked, Kris saw something in the dust. She picked it up and said to Liz, “Look at this! I wonder what it is?” Liz almost shouted, “You found
the wallet!”

It was an amazing answer to prayer that they had found the wallet when it was half buried in the road where the big trucks had driven for the last five days! Everyone was happy for Jaime, and they thanked God for answering their prayer. Someone took the wallet to Jaime and he was very happy to see his money again.

This story reminds me of a story in the Bible about something much more precious than $2000 that got lost. In Luke 15 we read about a man who lost a sheep. The shepherd had 99 other sheep, but he cared so much about the one lost sheep that he left the 99 sheep and went looking for it. He wouldn’t rest until he found it. Then he put it “on his shoulders, rejoicing” (Luke 15:5) and carried it all the way home. He was so happy to find it that he called others to rejoice with him, saying, “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (Luke 15:6). The man with the lost sheep is a picture of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus. We were all like the lost sheep, because we all have sinned, and sin takes us far from God. If you are still lost in your sins and not saved, the Lord Jesus is looking for you. He cares more about you than you can know. I hope you will let Him have the joy of finding you today!

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Beautiful Darters

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

Darters are small fish in the perch family. They have their name because they dart swiftly from one resting place to another. They live only in the United States, and all but one is found east of the Rocky Mountains. Darters seem to favor clean mountain streams with clean, cold, swift-moving water that races over rocky bottoms. They often live right in the rapids where the larva of various insects, and other small creatures they eat, also like to live.

How do they live in such fast-flowing waters? The Lord has given them large pectoral fins (the fins right behind their heads). These allow them to “hug” the bottom of stream beds while the water rushes over them. Their shape is also perfect for resisting the drag of the current. Because of where they live, darters don’t really swim like most fish do, but dart, mostly staying connected to the bottom of the stream bed. In the rapids they are safe from most predators, since most larger fish don’t like fighting the strong current the darters live in.

There are many species of darters, each with its own distinctive coloring. The males get beautiful colors during the mating season, from late winter to early summer. The stippled darter is a pretty one. Throughout most of the year it has transparent speckled fins and tail and an olive-brown body with dark stripes. But in the spawning months, his fins and tail get areas of deep orange, and its body gets orange stripes alternating with olive ones.

Another pretty example is the Missouri saddled darter. Again, in the spawning season, the male loses his olive-brown coloring and changes to a brilliant green and gold with bright orange bands. When the spawning season is over, he gradually changes back to his original colors until the next year.

In many ways these brightly colored fish look like tropical fish seen in aquariums, but they are not related. Tropical fish keep their bright colors year-round; darters display their bright colors only in the spawning season. Tropical fish are often slow swimmers and live in comfortably warm water; the darters are active and tough, since they live in swift waters that are often icy cold. The Creator has made each species to fit in perfectly with its surroundings. He knows what each one needs, and He provides for their needs right where they are. God cares about you and me much more than fish, and He knows what each one of us needs, too. He has provided for us both for time and for eternity, through the Lord Jesus. “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Did You Know?

Darters are active and tough, since they live in swift waters that are often icy cold.

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/2025

Leona, the Dancer

It was New Year’s Day when the drums and flutes began to play. Now, three days later, the drums continued to boom out their rhythms and the flutes kept on playing their short, shrill tunes over and over. Men and women from a town high in the Andes Mountains had been dancing up and down the streets for all three days. They were so tired that they could hardly keep on dancing, but they did not stop. Fear kept them dancing until the end of the third day. Sadly, they thought that the drums, the flutes and the dancing would drive away the evil spirits of the New Year. Most of the dancers had never heard of the wonderful love of God who forgives sinners if they receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior. They did not know that God protects His children and that Jesus is stronger than
evil spirits.

As they passed by the house many times with the same short, shrill tune and the continual beating of the drums, I wondered if perhaps the evil spirits had come closer to the poor dancers instead of
going away.

“I used to dance in the streets like that,” said Leona.

Leona? Dancing in the streets? It hardly seemed possible. Why, I had seen Leona giving out gospel papers in the streets, not dancing. She often came to ask if I had more of the papers. “I don’t know how to read,” she said, “but I know they tell about my Savior.” Another time when Leona visited us, she said, “It hurts to see the gospel papers thrown on the ground. Some do not want them.”

Yes, Leona was different now from the dancers in the street. She had lived most of her life chewing coca leaves, dancing with the others, and living without any thought of God. If you had seen her only about two years before, you probably would have thought that the old lady, wrinkled and bent over with age, had lived without God for too many years. How could she be saved now? But a loving, patient God knew that it was not too late. He sent a Christian to tell Leona about the Savior, the Lord Jesus who died on the cross and shed His blood to save sinners. She received the “Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world”
(Galatians 1:3-4).

Now Leona was saved from her sins. Although she was the oldest person at our Bible meetings, she was usually the first to arrive. How God had changed her life after so many years
without Him!

“How old are you, sister Leona?” I asked.

Leona chuckled. “How old would I be?” she replied. “My parents told me when I was 16, but that was too many years ago. I can’t remember now.”

Another day I went to visit Leona in her home. It was a small hut made out of mud bricks. There was no window, just a door. She lived with her son and his seven children, and they were so poor that the children sometimes ate cornstalks.

“How are you getting along, sister Leona?” I asked.

“We’re okay, but the vinchucas won’t let us sleep,” she said. Vinchucas are bugs that hide in the thatched roofs and come out at night to bite those who are sleeping. Leona’s hut was so dark that they would come out even during the day if it was a cloudy day.

One day we had to leave Leona’s town in the mountains. We were sorry to leave our friends there. One of the last things Leona said to us was, “My heart bothers me, but I have only one Doctor — He’s in heaven! I have only one Savior — in heaven!”

After that, we learned that Leona also left that town in the mountains. She left her mud hut to go to live in paradise! She left this world to go to be forever with her Savior. She was poor in this world, but now she is rich in heaven.

How about you? If you were to die right now, would you be rich forever in heaven, or poor forever in hell? God wants to welcome you to His happy home in heaven, but there is one thing that can never enter heaven — sin can never enter there. Leona had many sins to be washed away, but by the blood of Christ she was cleansed from all of them in God’s sight. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Won’t you come to the Lord Jesus for salvation like Leona did? If you do, God will welcome you someday into His home, not just as a visitor, but as one of His very own children. “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Memory Verse: “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

Messages of God’s Love 7/20/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Black-Footed Ferret

“God said unto them [Adam and Eve] ... have dominion over ... every living thing that [moves] upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28

When western prairies of the United States were being settled many years ago, millions of prairie dog homes dotted the plains. Because these animals were considered pests, they were hunted and poisoned. This poisoning also meant the death of a smaller animal — the black-footed ferret. Not only was their main food supply, the prairie dog, mostly gone, but the sylvatic plague also killed many. Now there are very few black-footed ferrets left in the wild, perhaps only around 300. They are considered the most endangered mammal in North America. This number is up from only around 18 of them in the 1980s. People have worked to increase their numbers by captive breeding programs, vaccinating them for the sylvatic plague, and protecting prairie dog habitats.

The black-footed ferret is closely related to the weasel, as shown by its slim body, short legs, alert expression and sharp eyes. It is 18 to 24 inches long from nose to tip of tail, and it only weighs up to two and a half pounds.

The ferret is a fierce nighttime hunter, often attacking animals larger than itself. Prairie dogs are its main food, and they can weigh up to twice as much as a ferret. Although the ferret may get wounded while capturing a prairie dog, it is rare for it to lose the battle. When it is over, the ferret drags the prairie dog to its burrow for safety while eating. The ferret has good hearing and vision to aid in its nighttime hunting, but its excellent sense of smell is probably its biggest assistant.

Ferrets often use prairie dog burrows as nests. There, around three to four kits are born in May or June and are raised by the mother. When they are two months old, she moves them to a new burrow and begins to teach them to hunt. By three months old, the young ferrets are nearly full-size and able to live independently.

When God created the world and told Adam and Eve to take care of it, as we have in our lead verse, the animals had no fear of people. We read in Genesis 2 That God brought all the animals to Adam before creating Eve, to see what he would call them. People have failed in their responsibilities to the animals in many ways, just as with the ferret. Perhaps you have some responsibilities to take care of in your house, that your mom or dad have given to you. Are you doing all the jobs you are supposed to do, responsibly? How you handle your responsibilities is important to God!

Did You Know?

Only about 18 black-footed ferrets existed in the 1980s.

Messages of God’s Love 7/20/2025

George Whitefield at the Fair

We had a story about the life of George Whitefield a few months ago. Here is another story about this faithful preacher of God’s good news.

Soon after George got married, he decided to preach in a part of London called Moorfields during a fair held there every year. This fair offered wicked entertainment to people that wouldn’t seem like they would be interested in having a preacher around. His friends worried he would be harmed if he went there, and they tried to persuade him not to do it.

One friend said, “George, that place is full of the kinds of people that hate the gospel. If you start preaching there, they might send some of the wild animals after you, and I don’t think that Christ asks you to throw away your life.”

“I want my life to reflect the Redeemer’s fearless steps in the presence of His enemies. Dear friend, help me by praying to the Savior that He would make me a little, a very little, child. When I am weak, then Christ will use His power on my behalf.”

“Still, George, don’t you agree that God knows better than we do? If He really wanted to save these people, wouldn’t He have done so by now? I don’t want to act like I’m wiser than God.”

“Oh, but if they die like they are, they will be lost forever!” replied George, with tears coming into his eyes. “Didn’t Jesus weep over guilty Jerusalem, and do you really think He wants these poor people to go to hell without getting a warning? If they refuse the message and die, having been warned of their danger, their blood will be on their own heads. God helping me, I will not be responsible for their loss. I must go and preach Christ to them.”

“Well, if you must go, you will not go alone; I will go with you. But it won’t be of any use to preach to such a mob as you’ll find at Moorfields.”

“That’s not my business,” replied Whitefield. “I can’t keep myself from speaking what I believe to be the whole counsel of God.”

On that Sunday in 1742, therefore, Whitefield went down to the fair at Moorfields. Even at six o’clock in the morning, there were nearly 10,000 people gathered in the fields.

People crowded around the pulpit and listened with respectful curiosity while Whitefield preached to them from John 3:14: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” No doubt he presented the love of God in sending the Lord Jesus to die the awful death of the cross to save their precious souls.

But when Whitefield tried to preach to an even larger crowd in the evening, there were stage actors who did all they could to stop him. One man climbed up onto the shoulders of another, and they made their way up to the stage. They tried to hit Mr. Whitefield with a heavy whip, but each time they lost their balance and fell to the ground.

“Just wait, I’m not giving up yet,” one of them yelled and ran away. In a few minutes he returned with a recruiting sergeant from the army who had a drummer boy at his side.

“Play the drum, Mr. Sergeant,” cried the actor, “and march right through the crowd. They’re all traitors at heart. Scatter the mob.”

But Whitefield was not so easily beaten, so he shouted out to the crowd, “Open, good people, open up a pathway, and make way for the king’s officer. March on, my brave soldier! We here are also enlisted men, but we fight for Christ against evil and sin. God bless you, Sergeant, and make you a true soldier of Jesus Christ.”

“Bless you for acting like a gentleman,” said the sergeant. “I won’t disturb the meeting.” But the actor wasn’t going to give up so easily, and he continued to throw stones and dust at the preacher. In spite of this, Whitefield continued preaching without paying attention to the rocks that were thrown at him. A group of little children sat on the steps of the platform, and every time a stone hit Mr. Whitefield, they burst into tears.

Around 350 people got saved while listening to the sermon that night. One of these was the actor who had been persecuting Whitefield.

“O Sir, God has found me out,” he said to Mr. Whitefield after the meeting. “I was a child of Christian parents, who trained me in all the right paths when I was young. But I resisted the Spirit of God, and I quenched His workings with my soul. Does God have any mercy for me? I feel like I’m the worst of all sinners, the dirtiest and the most wicked of all men. Can I be forgiven?”

“Without a doubt, God is able to save unto the uttermost. He has already saved the chief of sinners, and He can save the devil’s castaways.”

“That’s all I am, a devil’s castaway! Oh, what do I need to do to be saved? I just wish that I had repented and believed while I was still young.”

“Repent now, my dear friend! Don’t add to the guilt of your past by continuing in unbelief. Now, while I’m pleading with you, repent and cast yourself on the mercy of Christ.”

“God forgive me!” moaned the man. “But can I ever forgive myself? To have sinned against such love and such light! What a sinner I’ve been!”

The love of Christ, when it is accepted, breaks and then heals the heart of the one who receives it. God’s forgiveness and blessings are freely offered to all who repent of their sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ, including the very worst sinners. None of us has any right to the salvation that God offers, but anyone who comes to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, can be very sure that they will be accepted because of His work on the cross and His shed blood. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Memory Verse: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: A Few Facts About Bats

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

Most of us have heard how a bat can fly in total darkness and never hit an object that might be in its way. The Creator has given the bat excellent sight and hearing, but that is not the secret of its safety. Since it hunts at night, He has given it a radar system called echolocation, which is far more sensitive than any that man has invented. A bat produces a sound with its mouth or nose that is so high-pitched that humans cannot hear it. These sound waves strike objects in their path and send back echoes to the bat’s ears. The echoes give the bat a very accurate picture of its surroundings, including tiny insects which it catches and eats in great quantities. It can sense wires as fine as a human hair. Even though we can’t hear these sounds, they are so loud to the bat that it has to turn off its hearing while making them, switching it back on again to catch the returning echo.

God has given bats a sense of approaching winter with its scarcity of food. Some migrate to warmer climates. The largest mammal migration on earth is thought to be the straw-colored fruit bat migration to Kasanka National Park in Zambia. Up to 10 million bats migrate there to feed on the fruits, berries and flowers which are abundant in that area. The bats are important in helping to spread seeds of the different fruit trees and other things they feed on. Instead of migrating, other bats put on a layer of fat before winter, then find a dark place like a cave, where they hang by their hind feet and hibernate for up to six months. During this time, the fat stored in their bodies keeps them alive until warm weather returns.

Bats are helpful to us in destroying huge quantities of harmful insects. It is estimated that they eat half their weight in insects in one night. They also help us by pollinating many kinds of food, including bananas, and by spreading seeds of other fruits, like chocolate.

Bats are not birds, but mammals. They have fur, not feathers. Their wings are actually like skin that stretches between four very long fingers and goes all the way down the sides of their bodies to their feet. They also have thumbs on their hands, which can act independently of their other fingers and stick up out of the “wing.” These help the bat do things like climbing a rock wall.

We have seen how the Creator, the Lord God, made a way for bats to see in the dark. Our opening verse talks about the Bible, which God gave to us and which is a light for us as we go through life. Echolocation helps the bat to both avoid danger and find food. Can you think of how the Bible does both of those things for us?

Did You Know?

Bats are helpful to us in destroying huge quantities of harmful insects.

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/2025

Rock Slide!

A peaceful looking canyon spread out below me, and as I stood there taking in the view, I was planning my next few days. Deep in Dakota country, my friend Doug and I had been given the job of checking on a band of wild bighorn sheep. We had to set up camp first so we would have shelter. Then we would prepare to spend a few days here.

This was a job I loved. It was thrilling to me to be out in God’s creation enjoying the beautiful world that He made for us to live in.

On the evening of our third day, a fierce storm whipped through our camp. As the sky turned dark, strong gusts of wind made us quickly take shelter in our tents. From my tent, I looked across camp and saw the top of Doug’s tent getting blown first one way and then the other. At times, the tent was blown so far over that I could see the shape of Doug’s head in the canvas. Then rain began to beat down on us.

This is probably the worst storm I’ve seen for a while, I thought. I certainly have a powerful Creator. I wonder what Doug thinks of this. I had told my friend about how God had sent His Son Jesus down here as a man to die for our sins, but Doug was never interested in the subject.

Over the sound of heavy rain beating on the tent, I became aware of a new sound.

It was the sound of rocks breaking away and falling from the canyon walls directly above us! Doug heard it too. Both of us ran out of our tents and into a wind shelter that we had set up. We both knew a rock slide could bury us alive! I looked over at my friend who was known for his fearlessness.

Nervously, Doug asked, “You know what that is, don’t you?” Then he looked at me curiously. “You’re not scared, are you?”

“If this rock slide takes my life, I know where I’m going,” I told him. I really thought I had only a few more minutes to live. But I knew that because I had trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, who had died to save me from my sins, if I didn’t live, I would be in heaven. I knew this because I believed God’s promises.

“I will go to heaven, Doug. If you ask Jesus to take away your sins, you’ll be there with me.” I knew time might be short, but I also knew that it only took a moment to call on the Lord Jesus for salvation from our sins.

Doug just looked at me and went back to his own tent.

The rumblings increased as more and more rocks gave way and began to crash down the mountain. On the ledge where we were camped, there was no safe place to go, so I just stayed where I was and prayed for Doug. I expected that both of us would soon enter eternity. I knew my eternity would be in heaven with Jesus, but I feared Doug would be in hell ... lost for eternity.

The sound of falling rocks grew louder as the rocks came closer. Heavy rain pounded down on the canyon. And then, suddenly, it was quiet. The rain had stopped, and the rocks had completely bypassed the ledge where we were camped!

I have no doubt that God Himself protected us with His hand in that storm. And something even more exciting than being given more time to live happened. After the storm, Doug turned to Jesus for the salvation He lovingly offers.

The Maker of this beautiful world loves you, too, and offers you salvation from your sins. Will you accept His offer today or do you plan to wait until you are face to face with death, like we were? Don’t wait — you may not have the chance to believe on the Lord Jesus as your Savior again. Often there is no warning of death. And so the Bible warns us, “Today, if [you] will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). It also says, “Boast not [yourself] of tomorrow; for [you know] not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Salvation is not hard to have. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and [you will] be saved” (Acts 16:31). He did all the work to save us. Now He offers salvation to us freely. Have you taken His free gift?

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

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/2025

Marco's Miracle

Marco was a little boy when he heard from his teacher how the Lord Jesus loves little children so much that He came into the world to die on the cross for them.

One day in the middle of a lesson, Marco suddenly said to his teacher, “I haven’t got
Jesus in my heart.”

His teacher was quiet for a bit and then asked him why he needed Jesus in his heart.

“Because my heart is very dirty,” he replied.

“What do you mean, Marco? Is your heart dirty like your hands are dirty?”

“No, not that; dirty with sin like when I fight, and kick, and tell lies.”

“Then what should you do, Marco?”

“You told us that Jesus died for us so He could come into our heart. I have to ask Him, and I want to do it now.”

At this point, another child asked, “How can He come into your heart? Does He come in by the mouth?”

“Of course not,” said Marco. “It’s a miracle.”

Soon Marco was telling the other children that Jesus had come into his heart, and his teacher taught him the verse, “I will never leave [you] nor forsake [you]” (Hebrews 13:5).

Open your heart, open your
heart,
Open your heart to Jesus;
He knocks today; do not delay,
But open your heart to Jesus.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Superb Lyrebird

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

The musical instrument called the lyre has two curved arms reaching up from the base with a series of strings stretched between them. When explorers in Australia first caught sight of a pheasant-sized bird with feathers spread out U-shaped like a lyre, they named it the lyrebird. There are two lyrebird species. We will discuss the superb lyrebird.

Only the male superb lyrebird has those beautiful feathers, which he grows by the time he is seven years old and displays from May to August as part of his courtship ritual. The rest of the year, he moves around in the forest busily scratching for insects, worms and snails with his powerful legs and claws. He is not much of a flier, but he can run fast, and he can glide short distances if he jumps to a higher perch.

The lyrebird is a great imitator. He can imitate many bird songs, but he can also imitate the bark of a dog, the noise of a chainsaw, a camera shutter, a crying baby, the meow of a cat and almost any other sound. It is much more talented than a parrot in this way.

During winter, the lyrebird looks for mates. Clearing a spot in the forest, he makes a mound and climbs up to display his 16 beautiful tail feathers. He raises them in a lyre-like shape, bending them forward over his head. He sings some of the tunes he has copied from other birds, sprinkling in other sounds he has learned as well.

He does this display dance and singing on the mound for up to 20 minutes. If a female lyrebird does not show up, he moves on to another mound, already prepared some distance away, and repeats the whole act. This may go on for several days, until finally a female appears. If she sticks around long enough to mate, she builds an oval-domed nest alone, on the ground or on a rock or in a cave. Here she usually lays just one egg. The male stays on his mounds to look for other females, taking no further interest in the female or in caring for the eggs or young chicks.

As interesting as the lyrebird is, the way he seems to live just for his own pleasure spoils our admiration of him. His actions remind us of some people who try to look good on the outside and even act kind, until they get what they want, but they are not truly good or kind. As our opening verse says, God knows the truth about the insides of each of us. We can’t fool Him about what we truly believe or by how we act before others.

Did You Know?

The lyrebird can imitate the bark of a dog, the noise of a chainsaw, a camera shutter, the meow of a cat and almost any other sound.

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/2025

A Bad Shortcut

It was a school holiday, and three brothers, Brian, Robert, Matthew (ages 13, 11 and 9), their dog Abby and a friend from school named John had gone into the woods to play. The boys had played in those woods many times, and two of them had wilderness training. There didn’t seem to be anything to fear.

The boys were having a great time until it started raining. They decided they should head for home, but then they tried to take a shortcut. Instead of finding their way out more quickly, they got completely lost.

John, leaving the three brothers and their dog, managed to find his way out of the woods while it was still light enough to see. He reported that the boys were lost in the woods, and a search began immediately. Hundreds of people went out that cold, rainy night, but the search finally had to be called off until morning light and the boys were still not found. Everyone was worried. The boys had been out in the woods since 10:30 that morning. How long could they survive in pouring rain when it was only 38 degrees and there were 30-mile-per-hour winds?

Meanwhile, Brian, Robert, Matthew and their dog had struggled on, trudging through swamp water as they looked for their way home. As darkness came and they got colder, the boys finally took shelter from the wind and rain under a tree. They huddled together for warmth and waited. Would they ever be found? A good dinner and a warm bed would be so nice!

As soon as it was light enough to see the next morning, the search for the three brothers began again. Searchers called the boys’ names as they went deep into the woods. Several hours later two police officers wading through a swamp heard an answer to their call! They found the boys where they were huddled under the tree, with Abby faithfully standing guard nearby.

Have you ever taken a wrong way and gotten lost? It can be very scary! But there is one wrong way that is the most important wrong way never to take, and that is taking the wrong way to try to get heaven. God’s book, the Bible, makes it very clear that there is only one way to heaven. It tells us that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: [no one comes] unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). This verse clearly tells us that there is no other way to heaven than Jesus. Jesus and the work He did on the cross is the only way for us to be forgiven of our sins and to go to heaven.

The Bible also tells us, “There is a way which [seems] right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Like the boys and their shortcut, there are a lot of ways that people think will get them to heaven, and they may seem like good ways to them. Sadly, those ways will all end in death forever if they are not God’s way of believing in Jesus. I hope you will think about whether you are on the right way to heaven or not — today!

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

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/2025

A Teen's Final Testimony

The following paper, a final assignment for an English class, was written by Karen Johnson, a senior in high school. She finished this essay on a Thursday evening, and she gave it to her teacher on Friday. The next day, Karen was killed in a head-on car accident. Karen’s short life was a bright testimony to the reality of life in Christ.

June 4, 1959
My Philosophy of Life

My philosophy of life is based on the Holy Bible and the God who wrote it. I know that He has a plan for my life and through daily prayer and reading of His Word I will be able to see it. As far as my life work or my life partner, I am leaving it in His hands.

I feel that this philosophy is very practical and can be applied to everyday life. Every decision can be taken to the Lord in prayer, and the peace which comes from knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior is something many cannot understand. Many search for a purpose and reason for life. I know that I am on this earth to have fellowship with God and to win others to the saving knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ. I know that after death I will go to be with Him forever.

Jesus Christ teaches love and respect for everyone. In God’s sight no one person is worth any more than another.

Knowing and loving Jesus Christ personally makes me want to please Him and accomplish things for His glory. Paul says in the New Testament, “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” and, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

This philosophy contains all of the seven points given in your lecture of April 20th.

1. It is very practical to have someone to turn to for any decision or problem, small or large.

2. What could be more optimistic than knowing that God has a purpose and plan for one’s life ... to know that I have accepted Jesus Christ’s gift of Salvation and have eternal life is a wonderful thing that brings peace to my heart. God has the best for us, and if we let Him, He will improve our lives and solve our problems.

3. God in His Holy Word teaches us to have love for every person as Jesus Christ Himself did.

4. One of my main purposes in life is to share this experience I have had with Christ and to show the peace and happiness that it brings.

5. This is an important goal in itself, but more completely, my aim in life is to accomplish what the Lord has for me to do, which is certainly the most worthwhile goal in life.

6. The more I know Him, the more happiness I find and the busier I am. He has things for me that the world could never offer, and I learn to appreciate more and more how fortunate I am.

7. God’s standards are higher than anything attainable and present a great challenge and make me realize how futile it would be for me to do the best I could, because I, being human, could never reach God’s standards, and therefore never be worthy of entering heaven. God has given me contact with the best in His world, in my born-again friends, and in my fellowship with Jesus Christ. It is well-known that the highest beauty, truth, justice, and goodness are found in God’s Word.

This is my philosophy, and yet it is not mine. But I am God’s and whatever I have is His. I have faith that He is the only answer and I do love Him so.

Do you expect to meet Karen someday? How do your thoughts about life compare with hers?

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Pufferfish!

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

There are many strange creatures in the oceans. One of the most unusual is the pufferfish, of which there are nearly 200 species. Pufferfish come in many different sizes and colors, from less than an inch up to 10 feet long, from plain to quite colorful. Some can change their color quickly.

Our title says, “Beware the Pufferfish!” for a very good reason; they have a toxin that makes them the deadliest fish in the seas. Their toxin is second only to the poison dart frog among vertebrates for humans. Yet, some chefs in China and Japan are trained in how to prepare them for eating. Even so, it is dangerous to eat their flesh, and many deaths do occur from eating them. In the seas, only sharks seem to be able to eat them without getting sick or dying.

Another defense the Lord has given pufferfish is their ability to “puff.” Puffing is a lifesaver, because they are not great swimmers. The reason for this is that they have no spine, and it is the spine which enables most fish to move their bodies easily, aiding them in swimming quickly. Because of their stiff bodies, it takes a lot of work for them to move through the water using only their fins, and they normally don’t swim very quickly. Although pufferfish have a skeleton, it is a very unusual one, because it has to be able to expand dramatically and quickly. If a pufferfish is attacked, it can fill its body with water or air to make itself two or three times larger than normal. Some also have strong, sharp spines on their bodies. These things make the slow pufferfish a hard fish to eat, saving the lives of both itself and the would-be predator, since their poison would make most fish get sick and possibly die.

The Creator has also given pufferfish amazingly strong jaws and hard, sharp teeth, fused together to make something like a beak, which easily crunches the toughest shellfish to eat the creature inside.

Spines, puffing up, poison, a sharp beak ... these things about the pufferfish remind me of the flesh in all of us. We can get very “prickly” if we feel like someone isn’t treating us just right, can’t we? Then our tongues can use words that hurt others more than poison. And we can “bite and devour one another” (Galatians 5:15) instead of loving our neighbors as ourselves, if we aren’t careful. You may hear from some people that you have to stand up for yourself because you are worthy of respect. How does that compare with our opening verses?

Did You Know?

Some pufferfish can change their color quickly.

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/2025

Baboon Thieves

Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived in Africa many years ago. One day when Mr. Smith was gone from home, a troop of baboons invaded the corn garden in front of their house. The corn right then was beautiful, the cobs filled with sweet, juicy corn grains. It was just about time to harvest their corn crop. Earlier throughout the season, they had often seen a few monkeys in the trees around the garden, which had clearly come as spies to find out if the corn was ripe yet, but they had not paid much attention to them.

There were many species of monkeys in the area. They often enjoyed seeing them running up and down the trees and swinging on the branches of trees on both sides of a lovely stream which flowed past their house.

But further back in the forest were troops of large, ferocious baboons, which were dangerous, often attacking and killing people. These baboons were also very skillful thieves, and the native gardens often lost a lot of food from their stealing raids.

One day, a man rushed in and told Mrs. Smith that a troop of those baboons was in the corn garden. She asked him to go and chase them away, but he said they wouldn’t leave unless he had a spear or a bow and arrows. He took some of those, but even so, when he got close to the first animal — a gigantic male — the look on its face and its determined attitude terrified him, and he ran away as quickly as
he could.

Mrs. Smith went out to the porch of the house to see what was happening for herself. She saw that many of the older and more experienced baboons were breaking off cobs of corn and dropping them over the thorny fence to their companions, who quickly gathered up the stolen corn. Several alert guard baboons had been appointed to watch on the fence at different points, so they could warn the others of any approaching danger. Not until the baboons had all they could carry and the guards had signaled that it was time to go did the troop quietly move out of the garden and run off through the forest with their prize.

Sometime later when Mr. Smith had returned to the station, the baboons came again to the corn garden in large numbers. Mr. Smith shot one of the most daring of the invaders. After that, they had no more trouble with the baboons. Local people said that the baboons told their friends about Mr. Smith’s rifle and warned them not to visit that garden.

While a baboon troop stealing corn is a hard thing to see happening in your garden, baboons don’t know anything about stealing being a sin. But boys and girls and older people too know that stealing is wrong. They know it because they don’t do it openly, but try to hide it. Have you ever stolen anything, perhaps even a piece of candy or gum from one of your sisters or brothers? I think many of us have done that. When we do wrong things, we are sinning, and even one sin is enough to keep us out of heaven. I’m so glad I know for sure that the Lord Jesus died on the cross and His precious blood was shed to pay for all of my sins. Because I believe in what He has done, I know that I will go to heaven, because the Bible says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). I hope you know the Lord Jesus as your own Savior too, because the rest of that verse says, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Which half of that verse do you fit in?

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

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/2025

The Little Deaf Boy

One day, a man was visiting a school for deaf people who also could not speak. There was a well-behaved little boy in the school who had such a happy face that the man decided to ask him some questions. Writing on a blackboard, he asked, “My boy, you see all the stars and the sun and the earth around you. Can you tell me how they all got there?”

The little boy at once wrote this answer: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (See Genesis 1:1.)

The man then wrote, “But where did all the misery and death that you see around you come from?”

“Sin came into the world, and death by sin,” wrote the boy. (See Romans 5:12.)

The man, surprised, wrote, “Can you tell me any way for people to be saved from all
this sorrow?”

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” wrote the little boy. (See 1 John 1:7.)

Even more surprised, the man wrote, “I will ask you one more question. Can you tell me why you cannot speak or hear, when so many people around you can do both?”

“Even so, Father,” wrote the boy, with a smile, “for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” (See Matthew 11:26.)

The man was amazed. Here was a little boy who had answered four hard questions in a way that none of the smartest thinkers in the world could, and he was happy, peaceful, and contented in spite of his challenges, because he believed these truths, which he had learned from the Bible. What a precious book the Bible is, where we can learn truths like those that made that little boy so happy because he believed them!

The Bible is full of wonderful things for us. Even if you are a little child, you can understand it. If you love it and read it carefully, asking God to teach you, He will teach you by His Holy Spirit, so you will be able to better understand it and apply it to your own life.

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Door Head Ants

“Blessed be the Lord my strength ... my shield, and He in whom I trust.” Psalm 144:1-2

There are thousands of different kinds of ants throughout the world. There is something interesting about each kind that the Lord God, their Creator, made. Door head ants are one interesting species. The soldiers of this ant colony have a head that is flat on top, looking like the ant is wearing an unusual hat. As it turns out, this flat head is used as a door ... a door to keep enemies out of their nests.

These ants live in tunnels in wood trunks left by beetles that have bored into the tree. There is not much room inside to fight off invaders, and door head ants aren’t great fighters, anyway. So, if there is any sense of danger, the guard soldiers simply fit their heads into the holes of the nest to block the entrance. They remain there even if they are so fiercely attacked that pieces of their head are bitten off.

Their heads are often camouflaged, helping to hide the entrance to the nest — and their head — even more. Depending on which species of ant, the Lord has given them different abilities to camouflage their heads. Some species excrete fibers from their head that look like fungi. Others have small hairs on their heads like Velcro which catch nearby debris, making them blend right into their surroundings. Others have no special camouflage, but just look like part of the wood.

These ants remind me of some verses in John 10. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any [one] enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:7-9). In that time, a shepherd would lie down at a narrow entrance to the sheepfold at night, and his sheep were safe inside from whatever might come against them. This is a beautiful picture of how safe we are if we have trusted the Lord Jesus for our salvation. Unlike the door head ant guards, which can’t always withstand their enemies, the Lord Jesus will never fail to keep us safe. This means that neither Satan nor anyone else can steal us from Him, for He is stronger than everyone, including Satan. Just as the same soldier door head ant would keep out enemies, it would open to let in its friends. These verses in John also teach us that Jesus is the only way to be saved. No one could go into His sheepfold unless they went by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If they did enter that way, they would be saved. Have you entered by Him to have salvation?

Did You Know?

Some door head ants have small hairs on their heads like Velcro which catch nearby debris, making them blend right into their surroundings.

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/2025

Buford the Helpful Giant

Buford is an Anatolian Pyrenees mixed-breed dog. These dogs are big dogs of 100 to 150 pounds, known as good guard dogs with loyal temperaments and for being gentle with children. They are often used as livestock guardian dogs because of their natural guarding instincts.

Buford lives on a large cattle ranch in central Arizona in the wilderness. His job is to protect the cattle from predators like coyotes, and at night he often patrols a big circle around the ranch house to make sure no predators are near.

But one night, for some reason, Buford walked a longer way from home than normal. He walked over foothills, threading his way through big boulders, shrubs, and cacti by the light of the moon.

A mile away from home he came across a small boy wandering alone in the desert. Boden is only two years old. He had on pajama bottoms and a tank top — not enough clothing to keep him warm on a cold desert night. He had a few scratches on his arm and face.

Buford instinctively knew the boy needed protection ... and Boden had gotten a much-needed friend. Miles from nowhere in the desert, they lay down under a tree and fell asleep, Boden curled up next to Buford to keep warm.

Boden had been reported missing the day before. Over 40 search-and-rescue personnel were looking for him as Boden and Buford slept. With strong flashlights, they were checking behind every rock, shrub and cactus. With wild animals prowling around, they knew the lost little boy was in serious danger.

A helicopter with an infrared sensor flew overhead, men constantly monitoring their screen for an image of what might be a small boy on the ground below. With this equipment they spotted two mountain lions prowling about, but they found no sign of Boden. He had walked farther than they thought possible for such a little boy ... seven miles from home!

The day before, Boden’s dad had been nailing shingles on the roof of the house while his mom was inside with Boden. When his one-year-old brother woke up from a nap and started to cry, the mom went to get him and heard Boden go outside. When she went out to find him, she discovered that Boden was nowhere to be seen. They called his name and frantically searched for him. When they couldn’t find him, they got on the phone and called for help. Knowing the dangers of the desert, the authorities didn’t waste any time forming search parties.

As the sun came up over the eastern rim of the horizon, it woke up Boden and Buford. They started walking, but this time Boden followed the dog.

And Buford knew where to go. Walking slowly so the boy could keep up with him, Buford led the boy a mile through the rugged Arizona landscape. They knew this because Buford’s owner later followed their tracks back to where the two had met.

Buford led the boy until they reached a seldom-used gravel road, and then they continued down to a long, private road leading to the ranch where Buford lives.

At about 10:00 in the morning, the rancher was driving into town to buy supplies when he spotted the strange sight of his dog Buford with a small blond boy he had never seen before. The rancher had heard the story about a boy who had wandered from home and was reported missing.

He stopped his truck and picked up Boden, drove back to his house and called the police. In no time at all, Boden was reunited with his relieved parents. When they learned about how Buford had probably spent the night with Boden and then led him home, they could hardly believe it. But they acknowledged that it was God who had sent Buford to rescue their son.

People heard how Buford had rescued the boy, and it caused quite a sensation. People from all over the world were deeply touched by the story, and some sent Buford presents like toys and expensive dog treats.

Do you know that all of us, through our sins, have wandered away from God, who loves us? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Boden’s being lost was very serious, but our wanderings have put us in even more serious danger, the danger of being lost forever. But there is Someone — the Lord Jesus — who loves us so much that He is looking for His lost sheep. Luke 15:4-7 tells us the story of how a man who had a lost sheep left his other sheep to go after one that was lost, and he kept looking until he found it. Boden’s parents loved him far too much to just ignore the fact that their son was lost. They did everything they could, and so did a lot of other people, to find him. And the Lord Jesus is longing to find you and take you safely to heaven with Him when He comes. He is the Good Shepherd who gave His own life for His sheep. Buford rescued Boden, but he probably didn’t know why he went farther from home that night than he usually did. But the Lord Jesus knew all about how much it would cost Him when He came to earth all the way from His happy home in heaven so He could rescue His lost sheep. It cost Him being made sin for us, so we could be saved from our sins. “The Lord [God] [has] laid on Him [the Lord Jesus] the iniquity [sinfulness] of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Won’t you let this loving Shepherd find you today?

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

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Lemmings of the North

“Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18

In cold, snowy, northern parts of the world, a small furry animal called a lemming makes its home. This plump little rodent is related to the mouse. Some are only 3 to 4½ inches long, including their stubby tail, while the largest can be over 8½ inches long.

Since they live in such cold climates, the Creator has kindly given lemmings warm coats and furry feet with padded soles. Their stubby tail, small ears and short legs are all wise provisions of the Creator. All of them would cost more food calories to keep warm if they were larger, and food can be hard to find where lemmings live.

Lemmings sit on the surface of the snow like little round balls when the sun is shining. This shape is perfect for them to absorb the most possible heat from the sun’s warming rays. Whether sitting or running around, the heat their body gives off is trapped between layers of hair, giving them a nice, warm coat.

In the winter, they live underneath deep winter snows, in air space called subnivean space, between the snow and the hard, cold ground. They don’t hibernate, but live active lives, eating grass or other plants. It is still very cold in the subnivean space, but it is warmer than the surface because the snow is good insulation.

During spring and summer, two or three litters of young are born and raised. Both male and female lemmings are ready to reproduce within weeks of being born. For these reasons, a lemming population can get ten times bigger in one year. Then there are plentiful meals for the hungry predators in the area. Arctic fox pups and snowy owl babies are both more successful during peak lemming years. But for some reason, every four years or so, lemming populations become almost extinct. Scientists don’t understand this cycle yet.

In Scandinavia, lemmings begin to migrate when they are too plentiful. Large numbers are funneled into valleys, as they run off to find new pastures. Eventually many run into lakes or the ocean where they are drowned. Some remain behind, raise new families, and in a few years their numbers greatly increase once again. This kind of migration doesn’t seem to happen with the Canadian lemmings.

While scientists don’t understand why the lemmings have such extreme cycles, we know that God knows everything, as our opening verse says. Did you know that He knows everything that concerns you, too? He understands everything about you. I hope you have learned to trust Him for His wonderful love and wisdom so that you ask Him for the guidance only He can give.

Did You Know?

In winter, lemmings live in a space called subnivean space, between the snow and the hard, cold ground.

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/2025

A Raven and a Rat

Lifting up another heavy stone, the old man used it to plug a hole in the wall in the small room where he was staying. It had been several days since he had eaten, and he was getting weaker. Not long before, he had been living in a nice, large house in his Chinese village, with a double ration of rice given to him by the Communist officials.

He had been used to being poor. Ever since he had been a child in school, he had struggled. He had a hard time reading and so he had left school and lived life the hard way. When the Communists came to power in his area, all of that changed for a little while. To prove a point, they had him live in a nice house and gave him plenty to eat. Plenty, that is, until they realized that the dear old Christian man was sharing his food with fellow believers. And the nice house? It had been a good place for him to invite other believers to worship the Savior they loved. He was given the choice. Did he want to live for his Lord, or did he want to have the favors from the Communists? It was one or the other.

Serving his Lord and Savior and his Christian friends came first. And so the dear old man soon found himself with only water to drink in that little room with a hole in
the wall.

Only a few hours later, the old man noticed that now there was another large hole in his wall. With simple, unquestioning faith, he accepted it from his loving Lord. A little while later, he noticed the whiskered face of a large rat poking through the hole. What would you do?

Many years ago, in the middle of a drought, Elijah, by God’s instruction, hid beside a stream in the land of Israel. God hid him there to protect him from the wicked King Ahab. Then God sent daily deliveries of bread and meat. We might like to be served by a waiter, seated in a comfortable chair. God sent a bird that eats dead animals or kills its own animals — a raven — to feed His servant. The Bible tells us that every morning and every evening the raven arrived with Elijah’s meals. He continued to come until it was time for God’s servant Elijah to move on to a new place where he stayed with a widow lady and her son.

Just as you might guess, the rat dropped off some food and then left. It came back with several more loads. It delivered some tasty sweet potatoes, nuts and vegetables for God’s servant to eat. The rat continued to come back every morning with enough food for the day. On days when the old man was expecting a visitor, the rat brought twice as much food. Who told it to do that? It continued to deliver food for several months, until God’s dear old servant no longer needed the deliveries. “Oh how great is Thy goodness ... which Thou hast [carefully worked] for them that trust in Thee!” (Psalm 31:19).

Our God still has the power to do miracles to provide for His dear children. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). He always sees the exact need of each of His children and He always gives them what is good for them. And though our God may not always choose to do what we might think is good, we know that He is always wise in how He meets our needs. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

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

Messages of God’s Love 8/31/2025

One Boy's Terrible Trouble

In Galilee, the land north of Judea, the people of Israel refused to honor God for many, many years, even though they had known His loving care and His wonderful power. A wicked king made a gold calf for them to worship (1 Kings 12:28-31). The people followed the way of Satan for many years until even children suffered from wicked spirits.

When Jesus came to this earth many years later, in that land of Galilee there was one poor boy who was terribly tormented by an evil spirit. It often hurt him; it made him unable to hear or speak, and it tried to destroy him many times by making him fall into a fire or into water. His father heard of Jesus and brought his son to Jesus to see if He could help him. At that time, Jesus was away up on a mountain, and sadly, the disciples could not help this boy. But then Jesus came down from the mountain, and the father ran to Him and begged Him to help. He said, “If Thou canst do anything ... help us.”

This man did not know that Jesus was the Son of God and that there was no one too hard for Him to cure, or he would not have said “if.” Jesus told the father he only needed to believe, and He commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy and not return. That spirit didn’t like to obey, but it had to. So it hurt the boy one more time so badly that everyone thought the boy was dead. But it came out of the boy because the Lord Jesus was stronger than the evil spirit, and the boy was freed from that tormenting spirit. Sometimes we see boys and girls who obey like that demon obeyed ... causing more trouble, and obeying only because they have to, not because they want to obey. Do you obey your parents like that?

The Lord Jesus went to that poor boy who looked dead, took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was healed. The Lord Jesus is so kind and gentle and yet so strong. He is stronger than any evil spirit and stronger than any problem we might have.

This story shows how awful Satan is, who has no kindness for anyone and who even wants to harm children. How different he is from the Lord Jesus, who did good to all and was tender and kind to children. He came to earth to break the power of Satan, as God had promised (see Genesis 3:15 and Hebrews 2:14). Even now, it is because of Satan and the sin he introduced into this world that there is suffering and war and all the other bad things in this world.

You can read this story starting at Mark 9:14.

Messages of God’s Love 8/31/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Lovely Pintails

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

Among the large varieties of ducks, pintails have a prominent place, and they are known for their speed (up to 65 miles an hour!) and handsome appearance. The females (hens) are rather noisy with their loud quacking, while the males (drakes) use double-toned whistles that are much more melodious.

Drakes’ heads are usually chocolate brown, with solid-white feathers covering their underparts and reaching partway up their necks, going farther up their neck in a white stripe. Holding their pretty heads high on long, slender necks, they look like statues on the water. Their long necks help them reach food as they tip, head down, into the water to look for food when floating on water. The hens, like their mates, have slender necks but duller feathers. The very long tail feathers of mature males extend to sharp points, accounting for their “pintail” name. The female’s pointed tail is much shorter.

Their melodious whistling is one of the first signs of spring when they are preparing to migrate to spots in Canada and the northern United States and on into the Yukon and Alaska. In the fall they reverse their flights, traveling far and wide. They have been seen on every continent except Antarctica.

In the fall months, pintails are among the first to leave the north, and the following spring they are the first to fly back. Great flocks often rest during migration where there is a good supply of wheat and other grains left on the ground after harvesting. Some live year-round in some western U.S. locations including California, where the barley and rice fields give them the perfect habitat. Hunting clubs and government groups work together to improve wetland habitats that pintails need, such as grasslands and fallow croplands.

When it’s not nesting season, pintails mix happily with other ducks on lakes, streams and ponds, their many varying calls blending in a tremendous chatter.

With so many millions of birds in the world, do you think the Creator, the Lord God, can tell them apart? And does He really know about each one? Yes, He certainly does, and He feeds them, just as the opening Bible verse tells us. Another verse says: “I know all the fowls [birds] of the mountains” (Psalm 50:11).

Far more importantly, He has His eye on you and wants you to follow His guidance, trusting His love, every moment of your life. The Bible says, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6). This is the only right and happy way for a Christian to live.

Did You Know?

Melodious whistling of pintails is one of the first signs of spring.

Messages of God’s Love 8/31/2025

Sunken Treasure

The ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha was one of a fleet of 28 ships that left Havana, Cuba, on September 4, 1622. She was loaded with an almost unbelievable amount of gold and silver and precious jewels which the Spaniards had gotten in the New World. Some of the treasures they carried were not legal for them to have.

They had left a bit later than planned, and it was almost hurricane season. Hopefully all would go well, and they could deliver their treasures safely to Spain. But then, the wind started whipping up the waves. Soon, the Atocha could not see the other ships in their fleet. As they rode gigantic waves and were tossed by the wind, safe arrival in Spain looked more and more doubtful. And then, only two days into the trip, it happened. Their ship with all of its vast treasures was sinking! Seven of the other ships were also scattered and sunk off the coast of Florida.

Only five people survived from the Atocha, and they were rescued by another ship. As they left the wrecked ship, part of it was still visible above the tossing waves. But a month later the remains of the Atocha were hit by another hurricane that completely scattered the remains, and the Spanish could never find it. Although many divers through the years tried to find the sunken Atocha with all her treasures, it remained lost at the bottom of the ocean.

Then, in 1969 a man named Mel Fisher began to search in earnest for the sunken ship. He and his team of divers spent weeks ... which turned into months ... and finally into years ... searching. Every day, Mel Fisher said, “Today’s the day!” to encourage the divers. Sometimes the searchers were encouraged by finding small treasures that showed they were getting close. But they also experienced great sorrow. Mel’s son, Dirk, his daughter-in-law and another crew member died six years into the search when the smaller boat they were on got turned over. Just a few days before he died, Dirk had found some bronze cannon which had been on the Atocha.

In spite of the sorrow of the death of these three people, the rest of the crew kept going. And every day for 16 years Mel Fisher kept saying, “Today’s the day!” He would not give up! Finally, on July 20, 1985, Mel’s son Kane Fisher sent a message to his father. “Put away the charts; we’ve found the main pile!” Sure enough, divers who went to the spot saw such a huge pile of silver bars that it looked like a reef of silver. Other treasures were found too — gold chains, jewels, gold bars and interesting artifacts that teach us a lot about what life on a ship was like at the time of the shipwreck. Today, you can see many of the treasures that they found in a museum in Florida. One impressive chain of gold weighs more than seven pounds!

It would be a lot of fun to find such a huge pile of hidden treasure, wouldn’t it? Mel was determined to find it, and he did, even though it cost him time, a lot of work and expense, and great sorrow. Of course, he didn’t know all that would happen when he started out. But this story makes me think of a verse in the Bible that tells us about a hidden treasure that the Lord Jesus Himself found and bought, at a huge cost to Himself. He tells us about it in this verse: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man [has] found, he [hides], and for joy thereof [goes] and [sells] all that he [has], and [buys] that field” (Matthew 13:44). If you have believed on the Lord Jesus as your own Savior, you are part of the treasure that He bought. The verse says that this man sold all he had to buy that field. The Lord Jesus gave everything in order to buy you and me to have us as His own treasure. He died a terribly painful death, suffering for our sins, and paying for them with His own blood. What amazing love! Someday, He will come to collect all of His special jewels and take us all to heaven. The Bible says, “They shall be Mine, [says] the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:17). Are you one of His found treasures, or are you still lost?

Memory Verse: “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Malachi 3:17

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/2025

The End of a Sinful Life

Last week we learned about the boy that had the evil spirit that tried to destroy him many times. Jesus was victorious over that evil spirit.

Later, Jesus talked clearly about the end of a life of sin. He spoke about what to do if our hand or our foot or our eye “offends” us. The word “offend” means something that makes us sin. A person’s hand may do what is wrong, his foot may go to wrong places, or he may let his eye enjoy looking at evil things. Unless the sins are stopped — “cut off” — the whole body is soon in sin, and the end of that kind of a life is a place of suffering named hell. The only way to end this kind of sin is to get saved and, once you are saved, to completely stop doing those things that cause you to sin.

The Lord spoke of the suffering of hell as “fire,” which causes the most severe suffering we know. Natural fire can be put out, but Jesus said that the fire of hell is not quenched (put out); the sorrow there will not end.

This lesson of Jesus is the saddest of all. Some people think there is no such place of punishment. But Jesus spoke plainly about it, and He repeated the words “the fire is not quenched” several times, so we must believe Him. At another time He said that place of suffering was prepared, not for people, but for Satan and his angels (see Matthew 25:41). But those who never stop following Satan’s ways must go to that place of suffering that was made for Satan.

Thankfully, we can tell you the good news that Jesus Himself died to bear the punishment for the sins of all who will believe in Him. Those who believe will never have to go to that awful place of suffering. Have you let the Lord Jesus save you?

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Barbary Macaque

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

It’s entertaining to watch monkeys at the zoo. Even King Solomon found them interesting and had some brought to Jerusalem, perhaps as part of a zoo.

There are many species of monkeys and apes in God’s creation. Since they look a little like humans, some people think that humans and monkeys are related, but the Bible assures us that this is not true. There are many differences, both in body structure and intelligence. Apes and monkeys are part of the animal creation. Man was formed separately and is distinct and superior to all other created things. The Bible says, “God created man in His [God’s] own image” (Genesis 1:27).

The Barbary macaque is often called the Barbary ape. This is a mistake, because it is a monkey, not an ape. It gets called an ape because it has no tail, and no apes have tails. It is a native of Africa but is also a famous resident of the Rock of Gibraltar, making it the only wild monkey population in Europe. These monkeys live in colonies of 10 to 100 individuals. They are quite playful and interact well with humans, who are drawn in large numbers to visit their colonies on the Rock of Gibraltar. Cute babies are cared for by all members of the colony, including males. They eventually grow to have a body length of up to 27½ inches long. They have excellent memories and are always curious about anything new or strange.

Barbary macaques spend a lot of time grooming other monkeys in their colony. Scientists have determined that this grooming seems to lower stress for the monkey doing the grooming. It provides social relationships, and perhaps this is more important to the groomer than looking for food.

Like most monkeys, the Barbary macaque is a great climber and very acrobatic even without a tail. Most babies are born in the tops of trees. Much of the Barbary macaque’s time is spent searching for food, which includes fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, locusts and lizards.

Perhaps the Barbary macaque can teach us something as we learned how it becomes more relaxed as it grooms another macaque. Our opening verse teaches us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Do you know who said those words? It was our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. No one ever gave as much as He did, so He showed us by example as well as by His words how to live a life that is pleasing to God. What can you give to someone today? It might be as simple as a kind word to someone or time spent visiting a lonely person.

Did You Know?

Much of the Barbary macaque’s time is spent searching for food, which includes fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, locusts and lizards.

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/2025

A Close Call

Stewart and Rachel Watt lived in Africa as missionaries, many years ago. At that time there were not strict laws about animals and hunting that there are now. Things were very primitive, and this led to many interesting encounters with wild animals.

Some of these animals were entertaining, like some smaller kinds of monkeys. One handsome bearded species of monkey used to enjoy riding on the backs of their cows, not seeming to notice or care about how scared the cow was as she ran around trying to get rid of her load.

Many wild animals of different kinds prowled around their house at night, causing Mrs. Watt many sleepless nights. More frightening than the rest, there were many lions and leopards that came to their home. The leopards made much less noise than the lions when they roared, but Mrs. Watt still heard them grunting and growling as they prowled over their porch every night. Their doors and windows were not very secure, since they didn’t have locks or even hinges. They were just made of reeds tied tightly together, which would easily break if a leopard slashed at one with his sharp claws.

The leopards caused them the most trouble. One day they stole two young cows from within 50 yards of the Watts’ house. They came and caused trouble so often that Mr. Watt finally set a trap to get rid of some of them. He had a hut built, made of heavy trees. At one end of it was a strong cage for a goat, to attract the leopard. Right at the entrance to the hut they put a large steel trap covered with leaves and dry grass to look like the ground. It was attached to a nearby tree by a strong chain.

The next day, early in the morning, they heard a noise near the trap. Mr. Watt rushed out with his rifle. As he got close, he saw a huge leopard’s head sticking out of the hut. When the leopard saw him, he gave a terrific roar, which made Mrs. Watt jump out of bed. Immediately, she heard the crack of the rifle, and then all was still.

At the moment of the roar the leopard had made a powerful leap, trying to reach Mr. Watt, who instantly fired his rifle. Thankfully, the leopard had dropped dead before reaching him. The force of the leopard’s jump had broken a link in the heavy iron chain which held the trap, so if the leopard had not been killed, Mr. Watt would have been torn to pieces.

The Watts had many interesting things happen to them in Africa, and many very hard and dangerous things, too. Can you guess why they were living there, so far from family and friends, willing to suffer so many things? It was because they loved the Lord Jesus and wanted to teach people who didn’t know the Lord Jesus about how He loved them and came to earth to die for them. No matter where you live, did you know that you can tell people you know about the Lord Jesus? But first, it’s important to know Him for yourself as the One who loved you so much that He died for you. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). “All the world” can simply be a friend at school or someone in your neighborhood, while you are young.

Memory Verse: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/2025

Overdue

For many children, going to the library is an outing they look forward to. Reading is one way to take a trip to a far-off land or to a time long ago.

My children love to bring home books about animals from the library. Once they checked out a book of true bear stories. Those stories were scary! Our next hike in the mountains in bear country was a real adventure.

At our library, we can check out books for two weeks. However, they are not marked “overdue” until after three weeks. The librarians call that third week a “grace period.” They give everyone an extra week to return their borrowed books, but if we don’t return them after three weeks, we must pay a fine.

At our house, we sometimes misplace a book and must pay the fine of $1.00 when we return the book after the third week. Once we lost a small book. We had to pay for the book — a fine of $10.00. We knew the fine was fair since the book was not ours, and we had lost it.

Did you know that the best Book of all tells us about a “grace period”? The Bible teaches us that we are living right now in the day of grace. That is, we live in a time when all who will receive free favor from God may have it. This day-of-grace period will not last forever. It has already lasted around 2000 years, but it could end today!

God has given us this “grace period” because He wants us to be saved from our sins before it is too late, or we will have to pay a terrible fine. This verse tells us what the fine is: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The Bible tells us we have all sinned, and God must punish sin. But it also tells us that God loved us so much that He provided a substitute to pay our fine and die for us. That substitute was His very own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If we believe He died for our sins, we will be saved from the punishment we deserve and go to live with the Lord Jesus in heaven when we leave this earth, rather than paying that awful fine in hell.

Next time you visit your library and the librarian tells you when your books are due, remember, God’s “due date” will be here very soon.

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Tidelands

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1

Traveling along a coastal highway, the changing views of ocean, woods and meadows can be very pleasant. But occasionally the road may pass a swamp or backwater bay which, when the tide is out, is so muddy and unattractive that we may pass by it with hardly a glance. Do you wonder why God made such places?

He made no mistake in any of His creation, so you may be sure that these areas, which are called tidelands, form an important part of His creation. Most of these areas are covered permanently, or at least part of the time, with a shallow mixture of saltwater from the ocean and freshwater from a stream or river. For many birds, fish, small animals and insects, this is a real paradise, and many of them could not live anywhere else.

Let’s take a closer look at a tideland. First are low bushes, reeds, cattails, sea grass, clumps of flowers and other vegetation, many kinds of birds and numerous other forms of wildlife that enjoy the privacy this greenery provides. Over long periods of time, the vegetation has dropped blossoms, leaves and stalks, producing a soggy mat over the area. This, added to organic material floating in from the sea or washed down from the land, has made a very rich “soup” for the lives of numerous creatures.

Here is a wonderful home for all kinds of insects, many amphibians, as well as otters, rabbits and others. The tidelands also provide a rest stop for migrating birds that arrive in great numbers to eat, rest and regain their strength before continuing their travels. Numerous kinds of shellfish thrive, enjoying the rich food available. Many fish swim in with the tide to feed in the shallow, food-rich water.

Tidelands are important for humans, as well, providing fishing areas and valuable natural resources like oil, natural gas, and minerals. They reduce the impact of storm surges by absorbing energy from the waves and slowing down the movement of stormwater. They also filter pollutants from the water, improving our water quality.

Through this brief look at tidelands we realize a little more how the Lord has so wisely provided for every need of the creatures He created. The valuable tidelands are a subject of strife in the government. Who owns them? But we know from our opening verse that everything in this world really belongs to the Lord. Do we recognize His rights over us as we go through each day? How we should praise Him for all His goodness in giving us everything we need, including eternal life!

Did You Know?

Tidelands filter pollutants from the water, improving our water quality.

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/2025

Tom's Narrow Escapes

Tom Needham’s parents were Christians who lived in the South of Ireland. Tom was the youngest of ten children, and, along with his siblings, he was brought up in the fear of God.

At the age of 13, Tom entered the British Royal Navy. Several years later, he left the navy to sail in a merchant ship for South America. The captain of the ship was a very ungodly and cruel man. One day when they were in the Bay of St. George, Patagonia, Tom and some other sailors were sent to shore in a small boat. Then, without any warning, because of instructions from the cruel captain, Tom was left behind alone on that rocky coast.

Tom was captured by Tehuelche natives, who were hunting seals, and they took him to their camp. Tom’s captors prided themselves on the fact that they never let a white man live. However, the chief took a special liking to the young Irish fellow, and through the merciful intervention of God, his life was spared. During his year’s captivity in Patagonia, he learned their language and accompanied them on their hunting expeditions. He became an expert in lassoing wild cattle and in catching ostriches with the bola, a type of throwing weapon which has weights on the ends of cords.

But Tom’s heart longed for liberty, and he determined to try to escape. One day when the Tehuelche were off guard, he mounted one of the strongest and fastest of the horses and galloped off into the tall pampas. Several of the braves pursued him for miles but he was able to escape. When canoeing down the Parana River, he found that there was a war raging between Paraguay and Brazil. Tom was seized as a spy and condemned to be shot. He was led out for execution and the soldiers stood ready to fire.

Right before the word of command was given, there was a commotion in the crowd as a man suddenly appeared on horseback. Dismounting, he rushed to an officer standing by and exclaimed: “Don’t you dare shoot that boy. If you do, I will hold your country responsible for the outrage. He is either British or American, and I am the Austrian Consul.”

As he spoke, he waved in the air a document sealed with various seals. Once again, Tom’s life was spared. He was released and handed over to the care of the Consul. Tom’s heart was filled with gratitude to the man for being the means of saving his life, and he told him so.

After many other difficult experiences and narrow escapes, Tom finally reached the coast and boarded a ship for England. There he learned that all of his brothers and sisters had moved to Boston in the United States, so he travelled to Boston. At first, his sisters would not believe that he was their long-lost brother Tom. However, his oldest brother recognized him, and then — how he was welcomed!

It so happened that an American preacher was having special meetings in Boston just then. A cousin took Tom to hear him. The address that night was on the words, “[You are] weighed in the balances, and [are] found wanting” (Daniel 5:27).

God caused the words to enter in power to Tom’s heart and conscience, and he saw that he was lost, completely unable to say or do anything to save himself. That very night he understood the wonderful truth that the Lord Jesus was wounded for his transgressions and bruised for his iniquities (Isaiah 53:5), and by believing on Him, Tom was saved (Acts 16:31). He immediately confessed Christ before others, and then he began to teach to others the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ.

One evening when he was preaching in a Canadian town, he told some of his experiences. At the close of the service an elderly man, shaking with emotion, took his hand and invited him to his home. As they entered the house, Tom Needham saw a painting of a ship, and at once he recognized her as the one in which he had sailed to Patagonia. The man then said, “I was the captain you told about in your story today. Now I want to ask for your forgiveness.” Tom freely and fully forgave him, and then he had the joy of pointing his former captain, who had left him on the Patagonian shore, to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The old captain was saved, and his life afterward proved that his heart had truly been changed.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ... for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33,36).

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

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/2025

Prayers and Smiles

When I was young, I had an aunt I liked very much. She had work to do and burdens that would worry most people and some trials, but no matter what, she had smiles. I often thought about the reason for those smiles, but I could not guess where she found so much love and so many smiles.

One day I went upstairs and opened a closet door in a quiet part of the house. I was surprised to see my aunt in there on her knees. Instantly the thought darted through my mind, It is here where she gets her smiles. I stood silent for a moment; then I closed the door softly, feeling very sorry I had interrupted her, for I was sure she was speaking with her God. She loved to pray. “A merry heart [makes] a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13).

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Not All Flies Are Bad

“There came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt.” Exodus 8:24

The swarm of flies mentioned in our opening verse was sent by the Lord as one of the ways in which Pharaoh was punished for refusing to let the Israelites go worship the Lord. It must have been a terrible experience, because the housefly is a horrible pest, especially because it carries diseases.

But not all flies are harmful, and many species are actually helpful. It can be hard to tell these apart from the harmful ones, though. One of the good ones is called larva varidia. It has a bright metallic-green thorax and abdomen which have bristly hairs sticking out of them. It is active in the Spring, from April to early June, in England and Wales.

This fly is helpful in controlling caterpillar pests that destroy plants. Its eggs are laid on leaves of plants that are eaten by caterpillars. When the eggs hatch, the maggots are so tiny that the caterpillars do not see them and swallow them when eating the leaf. Unharmed, the maggots pass into the caterpillars and eat their tissues, finally killing them. The maggots soon transform into adult flies. As adults, they consume the nectar and pollen of flowers. As they gather this food, they help pollinate beautiful flowers and delicious fruit.

Another good fly has a bad-sounding name. It is called the robber fly. It has spiny legs and a sharp beak. Perching on a stone or piece of wood until an insect comes along, it suddenly darts out and catches it in its hairy legs. Then it carries the insect back to its perch to eat. There are more than 6,750 kinds of robber flies throughout the world, and they all help us by destroying harmful insects.

There are many other “good” flies. How they destroy harmful pests is yet another proof of God’s goodness to us even in a world so affected by sin.

These flies remind us that just as there are good and bad flies, so there are people who are good and bad. Just as you wouldn’t want to let a “bad” fly land on your food and perhaps make you sick, so you need to avoid friendship with people who will influence you in wrong ways. And you can look for good Christian friends to spend time with, who will help, and not hurt, your Christian life. This might even be a “friend” like a good Christian book. Books have a big influence in our lives for good or bad. But one thing is for sure: The best Friend is the Lord Jesus Himself, who is a “friend that [sticks] closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Did You Know?

There are more than 6,750 kinds of robber flies throughout the world.

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/2025

What If We Never Get Out?

The cattle were restless. With heads bent low looking for the bunch grass that grows here and there on the desert, they wandered far from the outskirts of the little town. The steady hot wind that had been blowing all morning was turning into a sandstorm. It blew hard at the faces of Beth and Sam, who were watching the cows that day, and stung their eyes.

“There’s an old shack up ahead. Shall we take shelter till this blows over?” Sam called to his sister.

Sure enough! They were approaching an old homesteader’s cabin, but it was deserted and apparently had been so for a long, long time. They were thankful for any kind of shelter, however, and after hitching their horses to a post, they took refuge in the little building that had become as weathered and bleached as a bone.

There were just two rooms inside. The bare wooden walls showed daylight between the cracks of the boards, and sand dunes had formed in the corners. The windows were all broken out, and the wind whistled through their poor shelter.

“This isn’t much better than outdoors,” said Beth in great disappointment. “But look, here is a big old cupboard that’s as snug as can be!” exclaimed Sam. The shelves probably had been removed by someone that needed the lumber. “The only trouble is that the doors won’t stay shut, but I can fix that.” Sam found an old two-by-four which he braced against the opposite wall, and after they had both stepped into the cupboard, he eased the other end down and then let it settle against the doors. While the storm howled about them, they were content to stay huddled down within the crowded space of the old cupboard. At last the wind seemed to die down a little, and they decided they should start out again and get the cattle rounded up.

Sam pushed against the old but well-built cupboard doors, but they wouldn’t yield. He pushed harder and harder. Then they both pushed together with all their might. The fact that the doors wouldn’t budge made Beth afraid they wouldn’t get out at all. But Sam was still confident of his own strength. A rotten two-by-four shouldn’t be too hard to break! He braced his back against the wall and placed his feet against the door, and then he pushed with every ounce of strength he had. How Sam wished this door was a flimsy panel of wood that would give way under such pushing. But it wasn’t and it didn’t budge! Sam and Beth examined and tested the hinges, but they too were of sturdy stuff that didn’t give.

Beth was scared and said, “What if we never get out — what if we starve in here?” Sam thought hard and then spoke out, “I think we’d better pray.” They had always prayed at bedtime and Father always thanked the Lord at mealtimes. They had often heard about the Lord Jesus and heard the Bible read each day, but as yet it had not become a personal matter between their own souls and God. Now they felt for the first time their great need of Him. When we come to the end of ourselves, we then see our need of salvation.

“When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

Their prayers were very childish, being the only ones they knew. “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.” Even though they both knew it didn’t fit this occasion at all, Sam also prayed: “Come, dear Lord, and be our guest. Bless this food which Thou hast provided, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” This prayer he repeated in German, as though that might be more effective in getting God’s attention. At the last he added what was really on his heart, “And please help us get out of here.” Did God pay attention? I’m sure He heard those children.

When all goes well, we tend to think little or not at all of God and of eternity. Just as Sam’s lack of thinking ahead had gotten them into their difficult situation, your lack of thinking about God will put you in outer darkness if you do not turn to the Lord while there is still time!

Sam tried again to push against the prison-like doors until he was worn out. Then he sank down and thought seriously about their problem. Then he noticed ... through a crack about a foot above the floor, a light streamed in from beneath the cupboard doors. This was something to investigate. He felt around and made a wonderful discovery. There was a way of escape!

“I think we’re sitting in a drawer, Beth. Help me push it open!” Using their bodies for leverage, they pushed with their feet against the front of the drawer and against the wall with their hands. It slid open and soon they scrambled out and were free!

Tears and prayers and good works will never take away one sin. But there is a way to be ready when the Lord Jesus comes and calls His people to heaven with a shout. The way of peace with God was made long ago at Calvary’s cross. The way is open now to heaven, for all who believe what God’s Word says:

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

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). God’s Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to pay for our sins.

“A Man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest” (Isaiah 32:2).

Memory Verse: “John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Desert Cactus

“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

There are about 200 species of cacti native to North American deserts, ranging from the tiny pincushion to the mammoth saguaro. All of these were created for hot, dry environments where rain might only come once a year. If cactus plants were unprotected, desert animals would soon eat them. However, God has covered them with bristles and spines. Many small birds do find refuge in them, building nests among the bristles, where they are safe from predators.

Throughout southern Arizona and northern Mexico, as well as part of California, huge saguaros grow. Some of them reach 75 feet, though the average is 40 feet, and some live over 200 years. The special feature about the saguaro is its ability to store water. God has provided it with a network of shallow roots four to six inches beneath the surface. In larger plants, these roots may stretch over an area of 100 square feet or more. When it rains on the sandy soil, these roots soak up the water and transport it into the plant. The plant stores the water in its spongy stem, making it look very plump and smooth. During a heavy rain, a ton (2,000 pounds) or more of water might be collected into the stem, enough to last for a whole year. Saguaros also have a single taproot that goes down a little deeper to get to water farther below the surface.

Looking closely at a saguaro, it looks like a coat of wax has been sprayed on it. This wax surface restricts water transpiration, or vapor loss, through the surface.

The strength of the tall saguaro lies in strong ribs that run its full length. Native Americans often used these woody, strong ribs for construction material around their homes.

Woodpeckers drill holes into the sides of the trunk and branches, making nests in the soft, fleshy structure, which other birds move into as they are vacated. Normally, decay would set in at such points, but the Creator has made them so a layer of scar tissue immediately begins to cover the wound. In a short time a smooth, waterproof surface has formed around the opening.

Sometimes Christians refer to this world as being a desert place. We must admit that the world can never satisfy the deep needs of our hearts. Only the Lord Jesus can give us “living water” (John 4:10). He said, “Whosoever [drinks] of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:14). Only He can truly satisfy the thirst of our hearts for love, belonging and hope.

Did You Know?

Some saguaros reach 75 feet, though the average is 40 feet, and some live up to 200 years.

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/2025

Facing a Shark

Daniel was diving in the cold waters of the Bay of Fundy, off the east coast of Canada. He was hunting for sea urchins, which are very valuable and sell for a good price. He had found quite a few, and they were safely stacked in his fishing bag when he felt a heavy thump on his side. Turning, he found himself face to face with a 10-foot shark that was very interested in what was in his fishing bag!

Daniel knew his life was in serious danger, but he couldn’t do much about it. He could not let go of the fishing bag because his fingers were securely locked in it. Getting a firm hold on the bag with its jaws, the shark headed out to sea, dragging Daniel along. For 15 minutes Daniel struggled below the surface of the ocean with the angry shark. Finally, Daniel thought to shake the fishing bag, and the shark opened its jaws momentarily, releasing the bag.

Daniel’s troubles weren’t over, though. The shark, still wanting those delicious sea urchins, circled back for another attack. Daniel quickly flipped onto his back and swam backwards towards shore, dragging the bag with him. The shark wasn’t ready to give up, and he kept hovering around Daniel, darting at him from first one side and then the other, but Daniel just kept swimming. And finally, he reached the shore — safe!

Daniel couldn’t let go of his sea urchins, but he would have if he could have, to save his life. Did you know that if you are one of His sheep, the Lord Jesus will never let go of you, and it did cost His life to make you His sheep? John 10:27-28 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.” Are you safe in the good Shepherd’s hand?

Memory Verse: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/2025

Two Eaglets Ride the River

A sudden storm hit the Missouri River Valley. Thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and the wind lashed the trees along the banks of the big river back and forth, bending them way over with its mighty force.

High up in the branches of a tree at the river’s edge two eaglets dug their talons into the twigs of their nest to avoid being blown away. The eaglets were about seven weeks old. Even though they were over a foot tall and their downy baby feathers had been replaced by mature feathers for flight, they were still too young and weak to fly.

A big wind hit the tree and SNAP! The trunk broke in two, and the top part of the tree, along with the eaglets, fell with a splash into the
Missouri River.

The huge nest made of twigs, over five feet wide and a couple feet thick, floated on the racing river with the two eaglets hanging on tightly. Through the evening and night and into the next day it floated. Then the nest began to fall apart in the river, but the eaglets clung to what remained of it.

A farmer looking out the window of his farmhouse saw what was left of the nest floating by. Looking closer, he saw the two eaglets hanging on, as well. Thinking quickly, he called the World Bird Sanctuary in Bonne Terre, Missouri. A trained bird specialist got in his car and drove as fast as he could to
the farm.

Borrowing a canoe from the farmer, the bird specialist paddled out to the nest which was now stuck on a snag. The young eaglets were exhausted. Their rescuer captured one eaglet with his hands and tucked it safely in the canoe, but the second eaglet panicked and fell into the water. Eagles cannot swim, but, thankfully, he was able to rescue it, too. Paddling back to shore, he put the eaglets in his car and took the birds to the sanctuary so they could get the food and care they need. When they are ready, they will be released to live like normal eagles do, flying free and raising eaglets of their own someday.

Those eaglets, even though they were too young to fly, are a beautiful part of God’s creation. If they had not been rescued, they would have died in the river. Even though we don’t have perfect love, we don’t like to see a beautiful animal die. But God does have perfect love, and He doesn’t ever want to see any human being die forever by not being saved by faith in the Lord Jesus. Because of His perfect love, He sent His Son to save us from the danger that our sins have put us in, the danger of going to hell. “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). Have you let the Lord Jesus save you, in His great love for you? Or are you like the eaglet that tried to get away, not understanding, or perhaps not wanting, the wonderful rescue God has for you?

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Ways of Woodpeckers, Part 1

“Take the helmet of salvation.” Ephesians 6:17

There are nearly two dozen kinds of woodpeckers in North America and over 200 hundred kinds throughout the rest of the world. The smallest in North America is the Downy, at 6½ inches long, and the largest is the Pileated Woodpecker which is 16 to 20 inches long. All of them climb up and down tree trunks in their search for food. The Creator has made it easy for them to do this by giving them two strong toes pointing forward and one or two pointing backward, as well as stiff tail feathers that press against the trunk to give them extra support.

Woodpeckers are considered by many to be the most incredible of all birds as they slam their beaks against tree trunks up to hundreds of times a minute for several hours a day. Any other bird or animal trying to do this would damage its head, neck and body so severely that it would not survive long. But God designed woodpeckers with unique bodies. He has given them a special job to do, which helps trees, other animals and also people. Their job involves drilling holes in trees looking for wood-eating grubs and insects. For this job they have been given specially designed heads with powerful necks, and strong, sharp beaks that continue growing to offset all this hard use.

The Creator has made special provisions to protect their brains from all this slamming. Their skulls have some dense, spongy bone, especially in front and in back, sandwiched between layers of harder bone. The soft bones help absorb and distribute the shock each time the woodpecker strikes a tree. Woodpeckers also have a bone called the hyoid bone to hold their extremely long tongues. This bone wraps around their heads from their beaks, directing the force created by hitting the tree around their brain instead of into it.

Another reason woodpeckers drill holes in trees is to make holes for their nests. They first cut a perfectly round or oval entrance and then carve out a cavity up to two feet deep. Chips falling to the bottom of the hole make a soft base for the eggs that will be laid. Many kinds of woodpeckers use their nesting holes for only one season. Then the abandoned holes are useful for other birds and animals.

Our opening verse mentions the helmet of salvation that the Lord has provided to protect our minds as we go through an evil world, just as He provides special ways to protect woodpeckers’ brains. God’s salvation is so complete that it will keep us from evil every step of our lives, if we learn all it means and then apply it.

Did You Know?

There are nearly two dozen kinds of woodpeckers in North America.

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/2025

The Camping Trip

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

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

Quickly we began gathering up all the things we would need — sleeping bags, food, bathing suits, insect repellent. Soon we had a canoe loaded and were on our way with Helen sitting on a bundle of things in the middle of the canoe. Audrey and I paddled as fast as we could. We wanted to reach a sandy beach farther up the lake which would be a great place to camp for
the night.

After arriving, we spread some canvas on the sand and laid our sleeping bags on it in a row. Then we changed into our bathing suits and went swimming. The water was shallow and beautifully clear, and the lake bottom was firm sand. It was such a fun place to play!

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

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

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

Helen moved back a few steps. Just then the can gave a loud “POP,” throwing spaghetti-Os in every direction!

Helen was covered from head to toe with spaghetti-Os and sauce, and it was all over the ground. Even the bottom of the lake had spaghetti scattered under the calm, clear water for as far as we could see. It was amazing that one can held so much!

The spaghetti in that can could have been useful to us. It could have been our supper. Did you know that our lives can be helpful, or they can cause problems? If we have come to the Lord Jesus for salvation and are living for Him, there is no way to measure how much good we can do, by His grace, to others. But if we are not saved and have only our own sinful nature, or if we are Christians who are letting that sinful nature control us, there’s no telling how many problems we can cause others. God tells us in Romans 14:7 that “none of us [lives] to himself, and no man [dies] to himself.” We affect the lives of people around us more than we think. In 2 Corinthians 5:15, God tells us that the Lord Jesus “died for all, that they which live [those who have trusted in His precious blood to wash their sins away and have new life in Christ] should not ... live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” That is how we can best help those around us. If they see that we are different than other people, they may ask us what makes us different. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
(Matthew 5:16).

Is your life helpful or harmful to those around you?

Memory Verse: “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/2025

Saved From a Well

When I was a child, there was a framed Bible verse that hung on my bedroom wall. I learned it by heart, since I looked at it every night. It is a very comforting verse to know, and it would be a good idea if you learned it too. It says: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver [you], and [you will] glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). This is a story of a boy who called on the Lord Jesus for help when he was in great trouble.

Jamil was a little shepherd boy in the south of India. Water was very scarce in that area, and one day Jamil left his faithful ox to guard his flock of goats while he went looking for water for his flock. He walked until he came to an old well.

As he leaned over to see if there was any water, the old wall gave way, and Jamil fell down into the well. Thankfully for him, a small shrub was growing out of the side, which caught his shirt and stopped him from falling all the way to the bottom. Shocked and bruised, he managed to pull himself up to a ledge. Then he thought about what to do.

How would he ever get out of the well? It was impossible for him to climb out by himself, and he was in a very lonely area. In his fear, he remembered that one day when he stopped to hear a gospel preacher in a village, he heard about someone called Jesus. The preacher said that Jesus could be called on for help in time of need or danger, and He would answer. Right then, in simple faith, Jamil begged the help of Jesus.

After having prayed, he calmed down, and as time passed, he started nodding off to sleep. In a half sleeping state, he felt something touch him, and looking around he saw a rope. It was the rope that hung from the neck of his faithful ox, which was now looking down into the well. The ox apparently had come looking for his young master. Quickly Jamil tied himself to the rope and called to his ox to back up. In this way he was able to climb out of the well. Immediately he fell on his knees and thanked Jesus for answering his prayer.

Imagine Jamil’s joy when he learned more about Jesus and came to know the One who had sent the ox to rescue him. Jamil became a Christian and he often told the story of how his life was saved, always giving the glory to the Lord Jesus who hears everyone who calls upon Him. The Bible tells us that “the Lord is [near] unto all them that call upon Him” (Psalm 145:18). We can be sure that He heard that lonely and frightened little boy in India, and He will hear you too wherever
you are.

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Ways of Woodpeckers, Part2

“There is that [speaks] like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 12:18

Woodpeckers are pretty birds with barred or spotted black and white or brown and black feathers. Males may have red and/or yellow markings on their heads. Some, like the pileated and the nearly-extinct ivory-billed varieties, have beautiful tufts of feathers forming crowns on their heads.

Most of their hole drilling is to enable them to reach beetles, grubs and other insects inside tree trunks, for food to eat. They have an amazing ability to hear these insects chewing the wood, and drill at the right spot. Then the bird’s tongue darts in to catch the insect.

Their tongues are one of the features setting these birds apart from other birds. While most have tongues attached in their mouths, woodpeckers have tongues supported by thin bones passing over the skull and around the back before coming back to the front again. God made them with such long tongues because a woodpecker often needs to reach far back in a hole to catch an insect. If its tongue were attached to its mouth, it would not be long enough, so one that stretches out far was provided by a wise Creator.

The tongues of woodpeckers are specially designed in other ways. The flicker has a long, sticky tongue. An ant, beetle or grub touched by it cannot escape. Other varieties’ tongues have barbs on the end to pierce the insect and pull it out. The sapsucker drills most of its holes in just the outer layers of living trees. These holes form little wells where sweet sap collects. The end of its tongue has a brush to help it gather the syrup.

The acorn woodpecker drills holes in trees, fence posts or utility poles and then stuffs one acorn in each hole. Often hundreds and even thousands of these storage “cupboards” are made to assure it has plenty to eat in winter.

Woodpeckers are very useful to us, eating millions of harmful insects. Without their help, many trees would die from the attacks of insects. This is another example of God’s ways of keeping a needed balance in His creation.

Woodpeckers don’t sing like many other birds do. Instead, they have certain calls to communicate with other birds, but they also use their beaks to drum on wood or sometimes on metal. This drumming communicates their presence to perspective mates and helps to establish their territories.

We have learned that the woodpecker’s tongue is specially designed for its use. Our opening verse reminds us that our tongues can have either helpful or harmful uses. What we think about will affect the words that come from our tongues. Psalm 19:14 is a good prayer for us to pray each day, touching both our hearts and our words.

Did You Know?

Woodpeckers don’t sing like many other birds so.

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/2025

Danger at the Railroad Crossing

Clang, clang, clang! Alex and Faith, with Alex’s father Fred, were driving over a railroad track when suddenly the railroad warning bells began to ring. At the same time, the gates started lowering and the warning lights started flashing. Something must have gone wrong with the warning system, because there had been no warning before the gates started coming down!
The train was coming!

Startled and in a hurry to get out of danger, Alex pushed the gas pedal to the floor to get off the tracks as fast as possible. The car responded with a loud grinding sound, but not with the extra power they needed. Thankfully, they had enough momentum to get over the tracks before the train came. They were able to coast down to the light and around the corner before the car lost all its momentum. Every time Alex stepped on the gas, they just heard that same horrible grinding sound, and no power was going to the car.

Once Alex got the car pulled over, it became clear that other things in the car weren’t working either. Not only did the gas pedal not do its job, but the brake didn’t seem to work. And the steering was extremely stiff. Finally, Alex set the emergency brake, and that worked to park the car. Then they all got out to see what they could see.

Their son Nathan had been behind them in his car, and he knew more about cars than they did. He looked under the hood, but he found no clue as to what might be the problem.

There was a friendly man out walking his dog, and he happened to be the owner of the house they were parked in front of. After they called a tow truck, he helped steer the car into his driveway and off the street, while they all pushed. Nathan’s car couldn’t hold all of them, so Nathan and Fred drove off to get Fred’s car to take the place of the dead car, while Alex and Faith waited in the cold winter evening.

When the men at the garage where they towed the car checked over the car, they were embarrassed. Alex had taken the car to that garage for a few repairs that week, and the mechanic had taken the axle apart to see if it needed to be replaced. He had decided that it didn’t need to be replaced, but when he put it back together, he didn’t finish the job correctly. He left the axle loosely connected, and not as it should have been. It had worked fine as long as there wasn’t a great amount of stress on the axle, but under the pressure of the gas being pushed hard, it had come completely disconnected.

This story reminds me of how some of you might look like a Christian to others. Perhaps you’ve even told your parents that you are saved, but deep down in your heart, you know you aren’t. Maybe you go to Sunday school, memorize the verse and say it nicely, and behave as a good child should behave. But you haven’t “connected” with the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, by trusting in Him to wash away your sins. You don’t really know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior. Just as the axle worked fine until the emergency happened at the railroad tracks, this life might seem to be working just fine. But you may know that someday soon the Lord Jesus is going to come to call to heaven all those who know Him as their Savior. There will be no warning that day! There will be a loud trumpet call that only those who are saved will hear, and suddenly, all of those who hear it will be gone. Will you be among them? “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever [always] be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Memory Verse: “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/2025

He Loved the Bible

One day many years ago, Albert’s mother sent him to the store to buy some soap. Once he had the soap, the shopkeeper went to tear a leaf out of a large Bible which lay on the counter to wrap the soap in.

“What are you going to do?” Albert said. “Do you know that that is a Bible?”

“What of that?” answered the woman. “It will work very well to wrap up this piece of soap.”

“Really, ma’am,” replied the boy, “you should not tear up
a Bible.”

“Why, child,” said the woman, “I bought it on purpose to use as scrap paper.”

“Bought the Bible, on purpose to make scrap paper of it!” repeated Albert, astonished.

“Well, if you would like to pay what it cost me, you may have it.”

“Oh, thank you. I will run to my mother and ask her for the money.”

“Mother,” Albert called, as he entered their home, “please give me some money!”

“What for, dear?”

“To buy a Bible. The woman in the shop wanted to tear one up, and I told her she shouldn’t, so she said I may buy it from her.”

“My dear child, I cannot pay for it. I have no money.”

Albert burst into tears, and he returned to the shop. “Mother has no money to give me, but I beg you, do not tear up the Bible. My Sunday school teacher says it is God’s own Word.”

“Well, don’t cry, child. If you can bring me its weight in scrap paper, you may still have it.”

Albert ran to his mother with this news. She gave him all the old papers she had. After that, he went to the neighbors and collected all they could give him. Then he returned to the shop with all of the paper.

“Here is all the paper I can get, ma’am,” said Albert.

“Wait a minute, my boy, and I’ll weigh it.” The woman weighed the Bible and the paper. Albert watched anxiously. To his joy, the paper weighed more than the Bible.

“It’s mine!” he shouted. He picked up the Bible and went back home, calling out, “I’ve got it, mother! I’ve got the Bible!” He was happier than if he had found hidden treasure.

Do you know why he loved the Bible? It was because in it he had learned to know the love of the Lord Jesus, who said, “Suffer [let] the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). How wonderful it is to know that whether we are young or old, we are welcome to come to the One who loves us so much that He died to pay for our sins. He will never refuse to receive one person that comes to Him, for He promised, “Him that [comes] to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Changeable Grasshopper

“The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt ... and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees.” Exodus 10:14-15

Where there are grasshoppers, even if you can’t see them, you may hear the raspy sound they make. This sound is made by rubbing their wings on ridges inside their upper hind legs, and it is a mating call. Each species of grasshopper has its own rhythm. That way, grasshoppers of the same kind can find a mate.

A grasshopper’s head has two long antennae extending upward. These are its nose. Its head, shoulders and other body parts are protected with tough armor. Its wings fold smoothly along its back and extend between its large hind legs. Its ears are not in its head, but in its abdomen above its second set of legs.

In late summer, a female digs a hole in the ground where she lays up to 120 eggs. She covers the eggs with a frothy substance that keeps them from drying out. She may also cover the egg pod with some soil. The eggs hatch the following spring, and the new grasshoppers (nymphs) look like adults except that they have no wings. They grow so rapidly that they soon shed their armored skins. This is called molting. They molt five or six times before they reach full size, having proper wings.

A grasshopper has six legs. The hinged back legs have strong thigh muscles that power its long leaps. It has a special spring in its knee which, when released, catapults the grasshopper into the air. It leaps about 20 times as far as the length of its own body. Their powerful legs also push it off to fly. Not only can they leap and fly away from enemies, but the Creator has given them excellent camouflage among the green and brown vegetation they eat.

There are more than 12,000 kinds of grasshoppers in the world. Less than 20 of them can turn into pests called locusts. This happens when the conditions are just right for grasshoppers to multiply more than usual and lay eggs close together. When the nymphs hatch, if too many of them are together, bumping into each other physically changes them. They become more social, change their coloring, and develop a gigantic appetite, forming into huge swarms that can completely destroy crops, as they did in our opening verse.

Locusts remind us of a verse in Exodus 23:2 That tells us not to follow a multitude — a big group — to do evil. Just as the grasshoppers develop into destructive pests by being with too many of their own kind, people in a big group will sometimes do bad things they wouldn’t do if they were alone. The Bible gives us this warning not to follow a big group to do wrong things for a good reason!

Did You Know?

A grasshopper can leap about 20 times as far as the length of its own body.

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/2025

A Great Rescue

Many years ago a large ship called the Dutton was wrecked off the coast of Plymouth, England. All hope of saving the ship was gone, and nearly 600 people were in danger of dying in the ocean. There seemed no way to escape. Some of the officers, thinking only of their own safety, had tried to get to shore, but the waves were so violent that they had tried to get back on the ship. Some of these were killed as the mainmast fell on them in the fierce storm while they were not yet on board. The captain of the ship had gone ashore the day before, so there was no one to direct the crew or control the wild disorder into which the frightening situation had
thrown them.

A well-known captain in the British Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, happened to pass the spot on his way to a dinner party with his wife. Seeing the crowds on the shore, he discovered what was happening, and instantly he hurried to the scene. The ship was in full sight. The passengers were assembled on the deck with waves breaking over them. Guns were firing distress signals, adding to the misery of those
on board.

Admiral Pellew tried shouting orders to those on the ship. Then he begged others to carry his orders. He was suffering with a partially healed wound, but no one else would be persuaded to take his directions to the ship. Not one other person had the courage to even try or enough love to risk his life for the 600 people about to die. There was no time to lose, so Admiral Pellew resolved that if no one else would go, he would. But how was he to get there? No boat could make it through the furious surf, and there was no lifeboat to be had at Plymouth then.

Admiral Pellew knew that some people had come to shore by a single rope that was now being held by people on shore. Tying this rope around his own waist, he gave the signal to those on board to pull it in. In this way he was dragged through the stormy waves right up into the ship. It was an extremely dangerous thing to do. The violence of the waves, as he was drawn through them, carrying wreckage from the ship, was enough to dash him to pieces. But he passed safely through all the danger and stood at last upon the deck.

Once there, his calm and commanding behavior won the respect of most on board at once. Some of the soldiers, however, had to be threatened with his sword before they would obey his orders. With order restored, Pellew was able to direct the rescue operations. More ropes were attached to a strong cable on the ship to make it possible for more people to escape to land at a time.

A small boat with two brave men on board came along to help, as well. The 20-year-old mate, Jeremiah Coghlan, tied a rope around his body and, going into the frigid water, was able to drag two men to shore. He repeated this until he was exhausted. By 2 p.m. the storm began to grow less violent, and Jeremiah ran to get another boat, which he used to transfer more people from the Dutton to safety. It is thought he saved at least 50 people by his efforts.

Meanwhile, Pellew stayed at his post and kept supervising the transfer of stronger passengers by the ropes. The storm calmed down enough by 3 p.m. that rowboats were able to get close enough to the Dutton to receive the last 380 people, mostly women, children, sick people, soldiers and crew. Finally, Pellew himself escaped safely to land on the cable.

Pellew had noticed the bravery and hard work of Jeremiah Coghlan in rescuing lives, and he offered him a job on the ship where he was the captain. Jeremiah was a good worker, and he rose through the years until he himself became a captain.

This story gives us a lovely picture of what the Lord Jesus did for us. He didn’t stay safely in heaven, giving us orders as to how to save ourselves, but He Himself came down from heaven to save us. He went through all the “waves and billows” (Psalm 42:7) of God’s anger and judgment against our sins in order to quiet them forever and to save us from eternal death in hell. His love for us is so great! “Christ also [has] once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

Can you imagine one of those people on the Dutton saying, “No, I think I’ll stay here” when rescue was offered to them? Or do you think they might say, “I’d rather swim to shore myself. I’m sure I can do it”? But are you being like that? You are also in danger, if you haven’t accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior. God’s judgment against sin is so great that it would have taken all of us to hell if the Lord Jesus hadn’t come to die for us, shedding His blood to save us from judgment. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment,” says the Bible in Hebrews 9:27. Are you safe from that judgment because you have put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Memory Verse: “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

Messages of God’s Love 10/26/2025

The Shepherd Knows

A missionary met a shepherd one day and asked him if he knew all his sheep. He replied, “Sir, if you were to blindfold me and bring me any of my sheep and just let me put my hands on its face, I could tell right away if it was mine or not.”

This story reminds us of how well the Lord Jesus knows each of us. He said, “I know My sheep” (John 10:14). He knows you by name, if you are His sheep by believing in Him. And He knows about every detail of your life, and He cares about you even more than you care about yourself. He knows when you get hurt ... and He cares about it. He knows when you are sad ... and He waits to have you come to Him to tell Him about it, so He can comfort you. He also knows when you are happy ... and He wants to hear all about it! You mean much more to Him than any sheep ever meant to its shepherd.

Messages of God’s Love 10/26/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: A Lesson From Bluebirds

“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee.” Job 12:7

Bluebirds are a favorite bird for many people. They are a beautiful blue color, have a musical song, and often live near people. There are three varieties of true bluebirds, all of which live in North America or Mexico. The eastern lives between the Rocky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the western lives in the area from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, and the mountain lives from central Mexico to Alaska in the western third of the continent.

In early winter, bluebirds that live in very cold northern climates often migrate to where food is more plentiful. Bluebirds mainly eat insects, but they also eat seeds, mealworms, berries and other fruits. Those that stay in colder areas through the winter live in flocks, and up to 20 might crowd into a nest box to keep warm during the frigid nights.

In early spring, the male looks for a good place to raise a family, which includes a nesting site like a nesting box or a tree with a good cavity, open grassy areas where he can find food, and bushes for hiding in. Once he attracts a female that likes his choice, she soon begins to build a grassy, cup-shaped nest. One egg is laid each day until there is a full “clutch” of between three and seven. The mother doesn’t begin to incubate them until her clutch is complete, so all the eggs hatch on the same day, 14 days later. At first the mother stays with the tiny chicks to keep them warm, and the father brings food for her and them. But as they grow, she can leave them alone for longer periods, and after a week, she joins him in working full time to find food for the chicks. This is a big job, keeping both parents busy all day looking for insects, mealworms and berries to satisfy the huge appetites of their little ones.

The chicks grow quickly and fledge from the nest within two or three weeks. They perch in nearby trees where the parents continue to feed them and protect them while they learn to find food for themselves. After a week, the mother makes a new nest and begins to lay more eggs, while the father continues to care for the young fledglings. When the new family hatches, the parents get busy feeding them, just as they did the older ones. The young birds that are already raised often help in bringing food to the new chicks. Isn’t that a helpful thing to do? Very few other young birds are known to do this.

As our opening verse expresses, nature can teach us things. The young bluebird teaches us how children can help their parents. Did you ever ask your parent what you may do to help them, and then do what they say, cheerfully? Do it! It will please your parent, and the Lord too.

Did You Know?

Bluebirds eat insects, seeds, mealworms, berries and other fruits.

Messages of God’s Love 10/26/2025

Little Julian's Treasure

Julian was not a little boy. He was a full-grown man with muscular arms and strong legs. But he was not as tall as a normal man, for Julian was a person with dwarfism, and so he was called “Little Julian.” Although Julian was little in height, we will see that he was large in heart and in courage.

Julian knew that the Lord Jesus loved him and that He had died for him. Julian had accepted Him as his Savior, and Julian found that Jesus was all he needed to fill his heart with happiness.

Perhaps some of you know this song:

“Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me!

There’s love and life and lasting joy,

Lord Jesus, found in Thee!”

Julian did not know that song, but he did know that the Lord Jesus Christ satisfied his heart.

Julian wanted to share this wonderful Christ. But this was a dangerous thing for him to do. He lived in a country where the penalty for telling others about any religion other than that country’s religion was imprisonment and death. Julian knew this. He could have loved his Savior in secret. But inside his heart was the power of God’s love, making him want to share his wonderful Savior, no matter what it might cost him.

Julian packed up a bag with some bright fabrics and set out as a traveling salesman, carrying a dangerous secret hidden inside his rolls of beautiful cloth and lace. His beautiful things opened doors to Julian, even in homes which were specially built for people serving in that religion. In these homes, he spread out his pretty things for sale and, among them, his dangerous secret ... a forbidden book! Sometimes he showed the people just a few pages, and they looked at them with gasps of delight and fear.

What book could this have been? What book has caused more delight and more hatred than any other book on earth? Of course, it was the Bible — the written Word of God! But they only talked about it in whispers, for no one was supposed to believe anything except the country’s religion. That was a religion with some truth in it, but it never told of God’s offer of the full and free forgiveness of sins through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Julian’s customers admired his pretty things, and he made some sales. Some people even dared to buy his book, but they also wondered why he was risking his life to bring this treasure
to them.

“Why do you do it, Julian? Don’t you know that someday they will catch you and throw you into the dungeon? Why do you risk your life?”

He answered, “For the joy of bringing bread to the hungry and water to the perishing!”

I wonder if you understand what Julian meant — that Christ Himself is bread for the spiritually hungry and that without Him we will die forever. “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Christ is the true bread of life and the living water, and no religion can ever give this to anyone. No religion can ever take away one sin. It is only Jesus who can take away our sins. It is Jesus Himself who died for us and rose again and is coming back to take us to heaven.

Julian was eventually captured and killed. I think Julian could have said that what he wanted in this life, as Paul did, was this: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Julian is with Jesus now, and his body, which is now in the grave, will be raised and made new, and he will spend eternity with Jesus forever. Will you? And if so, do you share Julian’s heart and his courage to bring the bread of life to those who need it?

Memory Verse: “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/2025

God Cares About the Sparrows … And You

No matter what time of year it is, sparrows in the midwestern United States love to eat the birdseed that we provide for them. Sometimes you can see them hopping around on the ground, sometimes they flutter around in the bushes, and sometimes they will even land in your hand and eat the birdseed right from your palm if you sit still long enough. If you pay close attention, you will notice that there are different types of sparrows. Each type has different coloring, size and song.

To most of us, sparrows are not important. They don’t help us get a good grade on our math test or clean our room. They are something we don’t think much about. Yet Jesus, in the Bible, says this: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:28-31).

So, the Lord Jesus teaches us that even a sparrow is of value to God. He notices when one falls because He pays attention to them. Now think about how important you are as a human being — you are far more important to God than a sparrow! God says so. God says He numbers each hair of your head. He cares about every little thing in your life, like when you stub your toe or get a splinter. He cares for you so much that He sent Jesus to die for your sins so you can go to heaven!

The Lord Jesus gives us a very important warning here, however. There is Someone we need to fear, and that is God, because He is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. We shouldn’t fear what other people will think of us or do to us, but we need to fear God by obeying Him when He tells us to repent of our sins and believe in the Lord Jesus. It is important to do this before it is too late, but after that, there is nothing else we need to fear. God says, “Fear ... not; for I am with [you]: be not dismayed; for I am [your] God: I will strengthen [you]; yea, I will help [you]; yea, I will uphold [you] with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). God promised this to His people Israel, and He is the same God today! He is still just as strong as when He saved Daniel (in the Bible) from lions and helped the shepherd boy David to kill a giant. He can be trusted. When you place your trust in Him, you will have nothing to fear because you are of much more value to Him than a little sparrow!

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/2025

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Ways of the Beaver

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

Have you ever been walking where there are trees near water and seen the remains of trees with pointed tops — like a pencil — sticking up from the ground? These trees show the work of a beaver.

One of the first things you might notice about a beaver is its two large front teeth, which are orange or reddish-brown. This color is because the Lord gave these teeth iron in their coating of enamel to make them strong enough to cut through all the wood they use for building things, as well as for eating bark. Normal teeth would get worn down quickly. These two teeth never stop growing, so new tooth is always available to replace what gets worn down.

The beaver is an amazing engineer, building dams which are important for many reasons, including filtering water and controlling water flow. They construct these dams from the logs and branches they cut down with their teeth, then drag or float to their chosen site. They use mud and stones, as well, in building their dams. The dam creates a pond as it backs up water in a stream or river, where beavers and many other animals find homes and food. Beavers take good care of their dams, making notches in them to let more water through if there is a lot of rain and repairing them that very night if a flood breaks the dam.

After building a dam, a new beaver pair builds a house called a lodge, in a similar way, up to 12 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, though a new pair starts with a smaller home, perhaps 6 feet wide by 6 feet high. The lodge is usually home to one family, including the young from that year, called kits, and the young from the previous year, called yearlings. Here they are safe, for their home has thick, strong walls, and its entrances and exits are all underwater, even though the living areas are above the water level. To prepare for winter, the beavers cut down many branches and saplings with their leaves still intact and “plant” them in the mud at the bottom of the pond where they will be kept fresh and be easy to access during the winter.

Have you ever wondered why you are alive? If our Creator, God, has given the beaver an important job and given him just the right tools to do it, how much more is that true of you! God made you in His own image, to do a job on this earth just right for you, and He will give you what you need so you can do it. As our opening verse says, the reason He made you is for His pleasure. Isn’t it wonderful to know that if we accept God’s great gift of love to us in giving His Son to die for us and then walk in the happy way He chooses for us, we can be pleasing to Him?

Did You Know?

The entrances and exits of beaver homes, called lodges, are always underwater.

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/2025

Hurtling Through the Air

Some of you who read these stories are growing up on a farm like I did. My dad planted crops like wheat and corn, and he also had some dairy cows. There were always lots of chores to do, and I helped with them even before I was a teenager.

My dad had a tractor that we used for working in our fields, but it wasn’t like the tractors that most farmers have now. Modern tractors are more comfortable to ride on than they were then. Now, tractors have air conditioning to keep you cool when the hot, summer sun is blazing down on you. Some have so many computers in their cab that they look like a space ship! Tractors today also have many safety features to keep you from getting hurt.

Our tractor was not like that at all. It didn’t have a cab or air conditioning or a single computer. It didn’t have fenders over the tires or other types of safety guards. It didn’t even have power steering. When you hit a rock or other bump as you were driving across a field, the front tires would suddenly jerk to one side or the other, and if you weren’t hanging on tightly, you could be thrown off the tractor.

One day, when I was 12 years old, that’s exactly what happened to me. I was driving the tractor when all of a sudden, it hit a bump. Even though I was standing up and holding onto the steering wheel tightly, the jolt sent me hurtling through the air. For a split second I was sailing over one of the back tires while it was still turning. I looked down to realize that the next second I would land on that tire. Then its turning would throw me to the ground and run right over me. The tractor was pulling a double set of sharp disc blades. If the tire didn’t crush me to death, then the blades would run over me and cut me all up.

This sounds awful, doesn’t it? It all happened so quickly that I hardly had a chance to get very scared when I was in midair and could see that turning tractor tire. Still, my situation was dangerous, and there was nothing I could do to keep myself safe. It looked like I would
soon die.

Several years before, someone who cared about me very much had spoken to me, along with some other boys, about a Bible story in Matthew 25. He described to us how the Lord Jesus will judge everyone on earth. It is pictured in that story like a man dividing his sheep from his goats. After they are divided up, one group will inherit a special kingdom, while the other group goes away into everlasting punishment. I knew right then that I needed the Savior. I prayed and asked Him to forgive my sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). From that time, I knew that the Lord Jesus was my Savior and that I was a child of God.

God my Father cares for every one of His children every moment. As I was hurtling over the tractor tire, God was still in control. The next thing I knew, my body was draped over the axle housing. I don’t know how it happened, but I never touched that spinning tire. Then I was able to climb up and grab the steering wheel so that the tractor did not spin out of control.

Isn’t the Lord good? I thanked Him over and over for His special care over me that day.

Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus is worthy to be trusted. He calls you to come to Him for salvation. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He tells you to come now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). What are you waiting for?

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

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/2025

Are You Unhappy?

Evelyn told me that she liked the school we were running. “Have you learned to trust Christ since you came to the school?” I asked her.

Evelyn sadly answered, “I trusted Him once.”

“Do you believe that you were saved then?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Well, Evelyn, can’t you still say the same thing?”

She shook her head “No” in reply.

“Do you think,” I asked, “that the change is in you or in the Lord Jesus?”

“I know it must be in me,” she said, and I knew that she
was right.

Are you unhappy, like Evelyn, and wonder if you are even saved? This is written for such people, and there are many. Let’s start with this: There is no change in the Lord; it must be in us.

How is it that some people, even true believers, become so unhappy? When I was a boy, I had that trouble. But then an older man said to me, “Well, my boy, I believe it is either because you are not resting in Christ, or because you are going on with some sinful habit.” These words helped me. I realized that I was not truly “resting in Christ,” and God helped me to simply trust in the Savior, to believe that He died for sinners — He was my only hope.

Are you resting in Christ? Many boys and girls become unhappy soon after they are saved, because instead of remembering that Christ is the Savior of sinners, they look at themselves expecting to find that they are now good, and they are disappointed. They discover that their old evil nature is still there. Sinful thoughts still come into their mind; they still lose their temper or say unkind words ... and they begin to wonder, Can He still love me when I’m still so naughty? Peace disappears, and they may doubt if they are even saved. But this is not resting in Christ. The judgment which our sins deserve was already put on Him. He took care of it all, and as a proof of this, He rose victorious from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God. Do not doubt His power or His love, but go to Him in prayer. Tell Him what sins you have done, and then rest in Him — trust in Him.

But maybe your problem comes because you are still doing some sinful things that you did before you were saved. The Bible says, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2). If it is a sinful habit (things like looking at sinful things or reading bad books) which is ruining your peace, I beg you by all that Christ has suffered on the cross: Don’t keep doing it. May He who died for you touch your heart as you remember His grace, and may He bring you to your knees in prayer before Him. “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He will forgive you and restore
your happiness.

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Crab That Is Not a Crab

“Thou art worthy ... for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.” Revelation 5:9

The horseshoe crab is not a true crab. It is a large sea animal more closely related to spiders and scorpions. Its name comes from the fact that from the top its shell looks like a horse’s hoof, and from the bottom it looks like a horseshoe. Once it reaches adulthood, its shell is discarded every year and a new one grows in its place. A large shell can be more than a foot across. The crab’s abdomen is covered by this shell and is attached to it by a hinge. The crab also has a long, pointed tail about six inches long. This tail is mostly for navigation, but it also helps the crab to turn over if it gets turned upside down on the ocean floor.

Horseshoe crabs have six pairs of legs. The first pair has pincers and is used mostly for eating, and the next five are used for walking. They also have a total of 10 eyes, including two obvious ones on the shell.

Horseshoe crabs leave their winter homes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea in May and June, migrating north to beaches on the Atlantic coast of North America. They crawl up on the beaches during high tides at full moon and new moon to scoop shallow, basin-like holes in the sand or mud. The females lay up to 100,000 eggs, 4,000 at a time, in these holes, where they are fertilized by males. She covers them over before returning to the sea. In about two weeks, these eggs hatch out in great quantities. Hordes of birds have an instinct given by the Creator to know each year just when the migrating crabs have laid their eggs, and the birds are on hand to enjoy a big feast.

Though you may never have heard of the horseshoe crab, you most likely have been helped by them. This is because they have something in their blood (called LAL) that is extremely sensitive to the presence of endotoxins, a dangerous bacterial substance that can cause death to humans. Labs use the LAL from the horseshoe crab to test things like needles, vaccines, and medical implants for endotoxins. People have started thinking that draining the horseshoes of so much blood might be causing them to die even if they are released into the ocean alive. In some areas they have become less plentiful. A synthetic version of LAL has been developed, which it is hoped will replace needing to bleed the horseshoe crabs.

Though we haven’t perhaps known it, we have profited a great deal from the horseshoe crab’s special blood. We who are saved have profited far more by the blood of the Lord Jesus. As our opening verse says, His precious blood was shed to save our eternal souls from hell. May we praise Him today for all He suffered to make us His own!

Did You Know?

Horseshoe crabs have a total of 10 eyes.

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/2025

The Old Stone Stairway

Have you ever stood in a spot where history was made? I have had the opportunity to stand in many famous historical spots ... where President Lincoln was shot ... on the shore of Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims landed over 375 years ago ... on the fields of Lexington, Massachusetts, where the American Revolution began ... at Yorktown, New York, where the last battle was fought that won for Americans their independence from the British. I have been in Westminster Abbey where many English kings have stood and where many are buried. But I have never been more affected than the day I stood on an old stone stairway in the ancient city of Jerusalem.

On the south side of Jerusalem, Herod the Great had a stairway built of large stone blocks over 2000 years ago. This stairway leads down the hill toward the valley of Kidron where there is a brook in the rainy season, but which is dry for more than half the year. Across the valley on the slopes of the Mount of Olives is a garden where old, old olive trees still bloom. It is called the Garden of Gethsemane.

One spring evening almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ, who created the mountain on which He was standing, met His disciples in an upper room in old Jerusalem and ate the Passover supper with them there. After they had eaten the meal, He told them, “I go unto My Father” (John 14:12). They sang a hymn together and then left the room. They almost certainly would have used that old stone stairway, because it went in the direction they wanted to go — across the valley of Kidron to the Garden of Gethsemane. As they walked down those stone steps together, the disciples didn’t know what was about to happen. Jesus had told them that He would die and rise again, but they didn’t seem to understand that, or to understand that He would rise again. However, Jesus, the Lord of the universe, knew the future.

Would you take a plane if you knew it were going to crash? Would you stay in a building if you knew it would be hit by a bomb? As Jesus walked toward Gethsemane, He knew that in that garden His hands would be tied like a criminal’s. He knew that the next day He would have an unfair trial. He knew He would be condemned to death. He knew He would be nailed to a cross to suffer the most torturous death possible.

Why didn’t He run away instead of going to that garden? It would have been so easy for Him to disappear into the night and never meet up with the soldiers planning to arrest Him. But the Lord Jesus kept walking, one step at a time, toward the moment He knew was coming. He kept walking because He knew that only by hanging on the cross and suffering God’s punishment for sins would God be able to forgive our sins. If He had run away, we would have no choice but to suffer the punishment for our sins in hell. And so, He walked on.

A few hours later, just as He had known would happen, He walked back to the city bound and surrounded by many people who wanted Him to be killed. His disciples had all run away. He was brought to a false trial and then led out to be nailed to a cross at Calvary. Even there, it was not the nails that held Him on the cross. It was His love for us that held Him until He had paid the full price for all the sins of each one who will believe on Him. We read in John 19:30 that He cried, “It is finished.” And then He died. When He said, “It is finished,” it meant that He had fully paid the debt for our sins.

Jesus doesn’t live in Jerusalem anymore, and He isn’t still dead. After three days He rose from the grave — alive! He went up into heaven 40 days after that, and now He calls you to believe on Him, so you can live with Him there someday. If you know you are a sinner and believe that He died for you, He will forgive your sins. He walked into death because He loved you so much. Don’t refuse that kind of love. Soon He will return to take to heaven those who believe on Him. He said, “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22). Heaven will be a place of perfect happiness. Are you ready to go there by faith in this loving Savior?

Memory Verse: “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/2025

Christopher's Courage

Christopher, who was just a little boy, went with his father to a meeting where his father preached about how the Lord Jesus loves people so much that He died on the cross so that any who will believe on Him will be saved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

But the more he thought about the old man so sick and lonely, the more he wanted to go. So he went. It took a lot of courage, but the Lord Jesus helped him.

He didn’t know what to say, but he remembered his memory verse, and he repeated it: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The old man listened to Christopher, and he did what the verse says. He knew he needed help, so he called on the name of the Lord Jesus and he was saved. Then, how happy he was, and how happy little Christopher was that he had gone to tell him about the Lord Jesus!

When little Christopher grew up, he went to be a missionary in China. But being a missionary started the day he told that old man the gospel. If we know the Lord Jesus as our Savior, He wants us to tell other people about Him, wherever we are. He will give us the courage if we ask Him to.

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Leaf-Cutting Ants, Part 1

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

There are many thousands of kinds of ants throughout the world, and all are extremely interesting. The leaf-cutting ant with its well-organized, complex society is one fascinating kind. Some of these colonies in Central and South America may contain 8 million ants. They excavate huge nests underground with different rooms for different purposes.

These ants do not eat seeds, fruit or any other food except the sap from leaves they cut and food they grow by farming. They farm by growing fungus, like mushrooms, on the leaves they cut. Before farming begins, getting the leaf pieces to their nest is a big project.

First, medium-sized worker ants, called mediae ants, find a tree with the right kind of leaves and mark a trail to the tree with special chemicals called pheromones. Then many mediae ants follow the pheromone trail to that tree. They find good leaves and cut out semi-circular sections that are much larger than themselves with their sharp mandibles acting like a pair of good scissors. These pieces of leaves are held in their mouths over their heads and carried back to the nest. The weight they carry is like one of us carrying over 600 pounds between our teeth! Each worker carrying a piece of leaf joins hundreds of others, walking in a line back to the nest over the marked trail. The trail may be 400 or 500 feet long. This would be like a person walking 20 miles with a heavy load. They most likely make this round-trip several times a night.

At times, parasitic flies, that want to lay eggs on the leaf-carrier’s head while it is busy with its load, land on the leaf waiting for a chance to attack. But the ants are prepared for this enemy. They have little ants called “minims” that ride along with the mediae ants, watching to chase away any flies that show up.

We live in a world where there are enemies for most creatures. The little minim ants might not look very important, but they are very important in the leaf-cutter ant society. Watching for enemies and defending their fellow ants from enemies is one of their jobs. If you are a child, you probably have parents who watch over you to protect you from harm. But we are also all called to be watchful because Satan, who is our biggest enemy, wants to destroy our lives, even if he can’t destroy our souls. The Lord has given us prayer, the Bible, and the shield of faith to help us in this fight. Are you using them?

(to be continued)

Did You Know?

Some leaf-cutting ant colonies may contain 8 million ants.

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/2025

The Doctor Knew

The kind black doctor was a busy man. Tired, he rested his head on the back of the seat and closed his eyes as his train sped across the English countryside. Two ladies sat facing him.

“Mabel, look at that African gentleman,” said one of them in a low voice. “He’s probably an African prince who has come to visit London.”

“Yes,” said Mabel. “He probably knows nothing about God
or heaven.”

The doctor opened his eyes. “Heaven?” he said.

“Yes,” said Mabel quickly. “That is the place where good people go when they die. It says so in
the Bible.”

“Bible?” said the doctor.

Mabel was glad of the opportunity to explain. “Yes, the Bible. That is God’s message to us, and it tells us that if we pray and go to church and keep the commandments, then when we die we will go to heaven where God lives.”

“Pardon me,” said the gentleman, “but I would like to see those words in the Bible. Could you show me?”

“I don’t have my Bible with me,” she answered. “Elizabeth, do you have yours?”

Elizabeth fumbled through her bag. “No,” she answered, “I’m afraid I don’t, but I know the words are there, like you said.”

The doctor reached into his pocket. “Is this the book?”
he asked.

“Yes, yes, that’s it,” they answered.

“Would you please show me the words you spoke of?”

Mabel turned the pages nervously. “I can’t really find it now, but I know it’s there. I could give you the address of our clergyman and he could help you.”

The doctor reached to take back his Bible and turned the pages to Titus 3:5. He read out loud, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Then he turned to Galatians 2:16 and read, “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

“Ladies,” he said politely, “I appreciate your effort to help me, but the Word of God does not agree with what you say. God’s Word tells me that I am a sinner and that I have broken God’s law. It tells me in 1 Timothy 1:15 that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ It tells me in 1 John 1:7 that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son [cleanses] us from all sin.’ If you do as you have said, you will stand before God with your sins still on you, because going to church and trying to keep the ten commandments cannot remove even one sin. Please read this book for yourselves and learn what the Lord Jesus has done for you.”

The ladies were silent.

None of us is smarter or wiser than God. Do you know how to be saved? Like the doctor shared with those ladies, the way is clear in the Bible, and it is not through our own works, but through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is available to us because of God’s great kindness, not because we deserve it.

You can search God’s Word for yourself and you will find out more of what God says regarding your sins and His salvation.

Memory Verse: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/2025

Pockets

Dear Children,

I have a picture of a dog named Pockets. He is my sister’s dog, and he looks so cute in the picture, all dressed up in a shirt and pants with suspenders and sunglasses. Sometimes he gets dressed up like that when my sister takes him out for a walk. Many people stop and say “hi” to him and shake his paw, and some take his picture. Pockets loves the attention!

Gramma and I went to my sister’s one day, to visit her and to see Pockets go for a walk and do some of the tricks my sister had been teaching him how to do for over a year. We thought Pockets was a really smart dog to learn all those tricks.

My sister spent a lot of time teaching Pockets all those tricks, and he listens very well. Children, when your parent or your Sunday school teacher spends time with you reading the holy Bible, do you listen really well and not play? I hope you pay close attention.

When I saw Pockets walking so nicely with my sister, I thought of the Bible verses in James 3:7-8: “Every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Dear children, we have seen elephants, parrots, snakes and dolphins all tamed by people. People can train animals and birds, but God says, “The tongue can no man tame.” Isn’t this sad? Our tongues are very hard to control. But let me tell you two verses from the Bible with good things to do with our tongues. “If [you will] confess with [your] mouth the Lord Jesus, and [will] believe in [your] heart that God [has] raised Him from the dead, [you will] be saved. For with the heart man [believes] unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). So instead of using our mouth and tongue for saying bad words and wrong things, we can use it for the glory of God!

Just like my sister teaches Pockets how to do tricks, God’s Word, the holy Bible, teaches us how we can be saved from our sins.

Pockets always gets a reward for doing all his tricks, and he just loves those rewards. What about us? Yes, we receive something wonderful from God also, and it’s for whoever believes! It’s found in Romans 6:23: “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” What a marvelous gift! Eternal life in heaven with Jesus!

With love,

Gramma & Grampa

P.S. Here’s a good Bible verse to memorize: “Keep [your] tongue from evil, and [your] lips from speaking guile” (Psalm 34:13).

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Leaf-Cutting Ants, Part 2

“Do all things without murmurings [complaining] and disputings [arguing].” Philippians 2:14

In the last issue we learned how the leaf-cutting ants gather green leaves for a farming operation in their nests. The leaves they gather are chosen with care and they prefer orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit leaves. This is a real problem for fruit growers who may find that all the leaves from one tree have been removed during a single night.

What do the ants do with all of these leaves? Great numbers of worker ants in the nest are awaiting delivery of the leaves by the carrier ants. The workers clean the leaves, then they cut them into little pieces, crushing them, and pile them into stacks, adding some of their own feces as fertilizer. This leaf pile is food for a special kind of fungus — like a mushroom — that they grow.

While they wait for the fungus to grow, workers carefully watch over the leaf piles. They watch to protect their fungus from a parasitic fungus that would also like their leaves as food, among other things. If they see this fungus, they carefully cut it away and carry it to a special place for garbage. Soon the fungus that they want to grow appears all over the surface of the leaf pile. This fungus is mainly used as food for the queen and the ant larvae (babies). The other adult ants primarily drink sap from the leaves they cut. The queen drinks sap as well.

As this busy program goes on day after day, a certain amount of food spoils. There is also the problem of foreign insects coming in and being killed, as well as the death of some workers. These ants are very clean creatures, so there are certain experienced workers whose job it is to carry the spoiled food and dead insects promptly to the garbage dump, which may be either inside the colony at a safe distance from the ants and their food or outside the colony. This work is very important to protect the whole colony from dangerous diseases. The Lord also gave these ants multiple forms of antibiotics that they use to protect themselves and their gardens from deadly germs.

No ant has ever complained that its job is too hard, or that it doesn’t like to take out the garbage or to take care of the baby ants. They simply do their job, every day, very well, working hard with the other ants in their colony to keep everything running smoothly. In this way, ants are a good example to us of our opening Bible verse, and they remind us again of why the Bible tells us to “go to the ant” and think about her ways. (See Proverbs 6:6.)

Did You Know?

Leaf-cutting ants prefer orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit leaves.

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/2025

The Good Shepherd

We had just pitched our tents on the bank of the Hawash River when the sky grew dark and rain began to pour down. As often happens in Africa, the rain came down so hard and fast that the ground could not absorb it all. Soon there were many little puddles and streamlets joining together to swell the nearby stream which fed the Hawash River.

When the rain was just starting, a shepherd led his flock of sheep down to the edge of the stream and guided them quickly over to the other side. All but one lamb crossed over safely. This little lamb was enjoying the green grass near our tent and was left behind when the rest of the sheep crossed the stream.

Are you like that foolish little lamb? Perhaps your father and mother know the Lord Jesus as their Savior and are following Him. Maybe your brother is saved, or maybe the friend you sit next to in Sunday school belongs to the Lord Jesus. But, like the little lamb, you are still going your own way and not following the Lord Jesus Christ to safety.

As long as the rain was gentle and soft, the little lamb enjoyed munching away at the green grass all by itself. But soon the rain began to come down harder and harder, and then the lamb became frightened. It decided it wanted to join the other sheep. However, the rain had swollen the stream until it was now much too deep and fast for the lamb to cross over safely. The poor little lamb began to run up and down the bank of the stream, bleating in fear.

The shepherd missed his little lamb and waded back across the rushing stream to get his lamb. But the little lamb was frightened by the rain and the thunder, and every time the shepherd came close to it, the lamb ran away from him, bleating. It did not seem to understand that the shepherd was only trying to carry it to safety.

It was getting dark, and hyenas would soon be prowling around, looking for something to eat. The little lamb was in real danger.

Faithfully and lovingly the shepherd followed the lamb, calling and calling until at last he managed to catch it. Then, holding it on his shoulders out of reach of the rushing water, the shepherd carried it safely to the fold where the rest of the sheep were sheltered.

Won’t you let the Lord Jesus save you like the shepherd saved his lamb? Jesus loves you so much that He suffered and died on the cross so that you could be saved from the punishment for your sins. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd [gives] His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). He wants to forgive you now, and then to take you safely home to spend eternity with Him in heaven when your life here on earth is over. Won’t you come to Him right now? Like that faithful shepherd, He calls you to “come unto Me” (Matthew 11:28). And He promises that He will never refuse anyone that comes to Him (see John 6:37). He tells you to come now because tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Memory Verse: “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

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/2025

Queen Victoria's Dolls

Children of all ages have played with and collected various kinds of dolls for thousands of years. Queen Victoria of England played with dolls until she was 14 years old. She owned dozens of dolls and had made clothes for more than 30 of them. She especially liked small wooden dolls that were 1 to 12 inches high with jointed arms and legs, called “penny dolls.” She collected more than 100 of these. She had a dollhouse where she kept many of her smaller dolls.

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

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

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

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The American Black Bear

“The beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.” Job 37:8-9

The American black bear, often seen by hikers in forests and mountainous country, is the smallest species of bear in North America. It’s about five feet long and weighs around 300 pounds. It has short legs with powerful claws and a stub of a tail. While technically known as the black bear, it is sometimes light brown or cinnamon in color, but it should not be confused with the Alaskan brown bear, the largest bear of North America.

Timid by nature, black bears avoid people, and it is rare for them to attack a person unless it’s a young bear who doesn’t know very well how to find food. They can also get aggressive if they are fed by humans. This is one reason forest rangers warn people not to feed or approach any wild animals, especially bears.

The black bear’s diet includes grass, roots, berries, nuts and other vegetation, as well as fish, small animals, dead animals, ants, bees and honey. Tearing beehives open, a bear is protected from the bees’ stings by its thick fur. They eat more berries and fruits in the summer, but focus on fatty nuts in the fall to prepare for hibernation.

Black bears in the north hibernate individually in caves or dens in the fall, remaining until early spring. During this hibernation period, females give birth to two to five little cubs. They are about the size of a kitten and are hairless and blind for a month or so. Their mother’s milk is their only food until springtime, when they have grown to about the size of a tomcat.

When they leave the cave in the spring, the mother teaches her cubs how to find food and climb trees and keep safe from predators. They will keep close to their mother for 16 to 18 months. The cubs are full of energy — wrestling, climbing small trees and swaying them back and forth before jumping off. They enjoy riding a smaller tree down to the ground and then climbing back up to do it again ... over and over.

The hibernation of animals is referred to in our opening Bible verse. God knows all about all the animals, and He cares for them too. No one has ever known a bear or other animal to be unhappy because of cold weather. In this way, bears are wiser than many of us, since we may often complain about uncomfortable things. It is much better to trust God even in hard things, remembering that He works them all for our good (Romans 8:28) and that He says, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Did You Know?

While technically known as the black bear, it is sometimes light brown or cinnamon in color.

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/2025

Second Chance Corner

“Four more minutes till the bus rolls,” said Daddy, zipping up his jacket. For 14 years he had been driving the school bus, and he kept a clock-like schedule. The children began a crazy scramble that somehow repeated itself daily in spite of the instructions given in advance to have everything all ready.

“Your hair doesn’t look combed to me, Herb,” reminded Mother. Beth remembered at the same moment that she hadn’t brushed her teeth after breakfast. Sam scattered a pile of books in an attempt to sort out which ones were his. Beth followed Mother explaining that she was out of paper and needed some money, and Randy needed an excuse written for yesterday’s absence. Sam was rummaging through the apple box, looking for some extra ones to eat on the way. The bus horn sounded and there were hasty kisses and good-byes. Some ran out the door and some rushed back after forgotten lunch boxes and mittens. It was hard to direct traffic without some kind of accident.

“Where’s my library book? It’s due today!” “That’s my scarf; yours is in the closet!” A scuffling of feet, a slamming of doors; then a sudden roar of the idling bus engine and they were off. All was quiet, and then a small wail arose from the back porch. “I was just putting my boots on, and he didn’t wait for me.”

“Well, Herb, it looks as if you are left behind, but you know why, don’t you?”

“I just about had them on, too,” was the sad answer.

“Who didn’t get up when he was called this morning? Who was late to breakfast? You always think there’s plenty of time — until it’s too late. Now you will have to run down to ‘the second chance corner’ and see if you can meet the bus at the crossroads as Daddy comes back down the road from Waggoners.”

Mother watched her little son run out the gate and head for the crossroads. Yes, sometimes there is a “second chance” in life, but it is a dangerous thing to count on. When it comes to being saved, it can even mean losing your own soul ... and losing heaven and eternity with Christ.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

There will be no warning then. What if we’re not ready at the moment the trumpet sounds? What if we had thought about getting saved and really meant to get saved? What if we had even listened well in Sunday school and said our verses every Sunday, but had put off coming to the Lord Jesus and being saved?

It will be too late then. There will be no second chance to get ready.

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

Memory Verse: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/2025

Walking on Water

As most people know, Africa is a land with a hot climate. Until recent years, the children there didn’t know anything about ice or snow. There was once a missionary in Africa who tried to explain to some of them how lakes became hard and solid in his northern homeland. He told them that children could play on top of the water. Not one of them believed him. They didn’t understand that water can freeze when it gets very cold. They had never seen it, so they said he was lying.

However, he took one of those boys with him when he went back home for a rest, and he took him to a frozen lake. The missionary asked him to walk on the ice with him, but the boy was afraid. The missionary took him by the hand, and together they walked out across the lake, walking on the water just like the missionary had said.

“You did not believe what I said about solid water,” the missionary reminded him.

“I believe NOW,” the boy replied quickly.

He had to see it before he would believe. He did not trust the missionary’s word when he could not see it.

The Lord Jesus has told us a lot of things about God. He has told us how we can come to know Him and have a happy place in heaven after we die, or go to an unhappy place of torment if we do not believe on Him. He wants us to believe BEFORE we see, because He is simply telling the truth. He said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus said He is THE TRUTH (John 14:6). He could never tell a lie. How important it is that we believe every word He says in the Bible, because, like the missionary, He is telling only what He has seen and known, because He is the Son of God who came from heaven. He warns, “He that [believes] on Him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that [believes] not is condemned already, because he [has] not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

Do you believe what Jesus has said?

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: The Ways of the Owl

“I am like an owl of the desert.” Psalm 102:6

There are approximately 254 species of owls in the world. The smallest is the little elf owl. Less than 6 inches tall, it lives in deserts and woodlands of the southern U.S. and in Mexico. The great horned owl, standing up to 25 inches tall, and the great gray owl, reaching 24 to 33 inches, are among the tallest.

The most common owl is the barn owl. It is typically a brown bird 13 to 20 inches tall, marked with a white, heart-shaped face. Since it does not build a nest, its eggs are laid in places like tree hollows, barns, caves, and nest boxes.

Burrowing owls live and nest underground, in burrows they take over from prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and tortoises. Social creatures, they often live in colonies and sometimes share the burrow they move into with the animals who made the burrow.

Most owls do much of their hunting at night, but burrowing owls hunt both day and night. The Creator has given owls large eyes so they can see in the dark. Since they can’t move their eyes in their head, they see only a narrow area at a time, but they can quickly turn their heads almost completely around, actually making them able to see more than most birds. Their eyes are up to 100 times more sensitive to light than ours. If exposed to bright light, there is a protective membrane that will cover their eye, reducing the glare.

Owls have strong, grasping talons to catch and hold their prey and sharp, hooked beaks. Most owls hunt mice, rats, small birds, rabbits, squirrels, gophers and even snakes, skunks and scorpions. This makes them one of God’s ways of keeping the populations of these creatures under control.

Several things make an owl’s flight almost silent. For one, the leading edges of an owl’s primary flight feathers are serrated, like a comb, breaking down the airflow to reduce noise. Very soft feathers are another aid to silent flight.

Owls’ hearing is sharp because of feathers on their faces that curve, like a satellite dish, to send sounds to their ears. One ear is higher than the other on their head, which helps them know exactly where the sound they are hearing is coming from.

The owl mentioned in our opening verse lived a solitary life in abandoned places and made a noise people didn’t like to hear. This gives us a picture of the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ as He went through this world, lonely and sorrowful, preaching things people didn’t want to hear. Even though He has returned to heaven and offers free salvation to whoever wants it, many people still reject Him. Have you accepted the wonderful salvation He died to win for you?

Did You Know?

The smallest owl, the little elf owl, is less than six inches tall.

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/2025

Stuck in an Underground Cave

The sparkling blue water of the Bermuda bay lay before me. I was in Bermuda with other young Christians for a week of sharing the gospel, and we had the afternoon off to swim. The water was warm and relaxing.

Suddenly, my friend’s head popped up in the waves. “Hey, Scott,” Steve called, “what are you doing over there?”

“Just snorkeling around,”
I answered.

“You have to come check out what I just found by these rocks ... an underwater cave!”

I loved the water and I loved snorkeling, but an underwater cave didn’t sound too safe to me.

“Are you sure you can make it out?”

“Oh yeah. I’ve gone through twice now. Come on, check it out!”

Steve was pretty sure that it was safe, so I started to consider it. He was a bigger guy than I was, so I knew that if he fit through all the passageways, I would too. But I had one more question.

“How long does the swim take if you go straight through it?” I asked.

“I don’t know; let me check
for you.”

Steve waded down the beach and disappeared underwater. I stood in the sun and water and studied where he had disappeared. Checking out the cave did sound like fun. I had always wanted to explore some new place. As a runner, I could hold my breath for over three minutes, so I knew that it would take a pretty long underwater swim to make me say no.

Steve’s head broke the surface, and with a grin he called to me, “Two minutes and seventeen seconds to get down there and through it.”

Knowing that I had almost a minute of extra time if something unexpected happened, I swam over to join Steve. He pointed out the spot where we would go underwater and where we would come out on the other side. He said that he would lead, and all I would have to do was follow him through.

We dove ten feet down to enter the silence and dim light of the cave under the sea. For the first few turns, all I did was follow Steve’s flippers through the rocky maze. But then ...

It wasn’t a very narrow passage that caused the problem; what caused it was my brushing too close to the wall so that my shorts got caught on a rock. Knowing that I couldn’t tell Steve to slow down, I reached back as quickly as I could and unsnagged myself. But I wasn’t fast enough. When I looked up, Steve was gone!

I tried to tell myself, Okay, this can’t be that bad ... the way out is probably just around that corner ... after all, Steve did this alone.

The passage was too tight to turn around to go back the way I came in, so I swam into the next passage and turned in the direction that I thought I should go. It was a wrong turn.

Back on the beach, I hadn’t thought about the disaster that could happen with one wrong turn in that cave, but I was about to discover the frightening outcome of my wrong turn. The turn I took brought me into a large chamber of the cave with light filtering down through an opening at the top. That must be the way out, up there, I thought.

I swam toward the surface, eager to get to fresh air and be done with this little adventure. But the opening that was letting light in was not big enough for me to exit! However, hoping I could squeeze through it, I put my head and arms through — and got stuck!

I was so close to safety ... yet so far away. I knew I was now in serious trouble. I couldn’t hold my breath much longer. I thrashed around, trying to get free, trying not to panic, and began to pray in earnest. The coral that I was stuck in slashed my rib cage and shoulders, and the pain was making my situation worse. All I could do was pray: Lord, I know that I’m saved from my sins. I know that if I die, I will be in heaven with Thee. But, Lord, I don’t want to die right now. Please do with me whatever is best.

That’s the last thing I remember before everything went black. Next thing I knew I was at the surface of the water next to Steve. He excitedly turned to me.

“How did you like it?”

“Steve,” I said, “I got stuck in there! How did I get out?”

Steve was puzzled. “Stuck? What happened? Hey man, you’re bleeding!”

“Yeah, I need these coral cuts taken care of. Let’s go in to shore.”

Steve hadn’t been aware that I had nearly died in that cave, but I knew full well what had happened. I had taken a wrong turn, called on the Lord, and the Lord had saved my life. Thank You, Lord, I prayed.

One wrong turn was all it took to put Scott in extreme danger. Did you know that one sin is all it takes to put each of us into extreme danger? That’s because if we do even one sin, we have sinned, and the Bible says, “The soul that [sins], it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Even one sin will keep a person out of heaven. Trying to find your own way to heaven is just as dangerous as it was for Scott to try to find his own way out of that cave. He was saved by calling on the Lord that day, and you can be saved if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13 that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is no other way! “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He can save us because He “His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). He took the punishment for sins at the cross of Calvary. Have you called on Him so you can have His free salvation?

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

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: A Miracle: Caterpillar to Butterfly

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

When a butterfly looks for a place to lay its eggs, it selects a spot on a plant that the hatched caterpillar will eat. God has given the butterfly the wisdom to know just where to lay her eggs.

Let’s follow one kind of butterfly through its life cycle ... the lovely Monarch butterfly. The mother lays just one egg on the leaf of a milkweed plant. She repeats this on different leaves until she lays 300 or more eggs during her lifetime. A baby caterpillar hatches from the tiny egg in just a few days. It has strong jaws and spends its life eating milkweed leaves, which are poisonous to most creatures. This poison protects the monarch from many predators. Five times in about two weeks, its hard skin becomes too tight, splits open and drops off. A larger new skin has already formed underneath to replace it, which is soft but hardens quickly. At the fifth and final molt, the monarch caterpillar attaches itself by a bit of silk to the bottom of something where it will be safe. It has become 2000 times larger than the original caterpillar. This would be like an 8-pound baby turning into a 16,000-pound elephant in just two weeks! Its final caterpillar skin splits off and the pupa left hanging there looks like a tiny, beautiful green bag decorated with gold jewels.

A great change in the caterpillar’s life now takes place. The pupa hangs there for 8 to 15 days while inside, a miracle takes place. The caterpillar is turning into a beautiful butterfly! When the pupa opens, a full-grown butterfly comes out, gradually dries its wings and then flies off to live a very different life. Its diet now will be the nectar of flowers, which it sips with a long, hollow tongue called a proboscis. When not in use, this proboscis rolls up tightly, like a garden hose, under its head. There are special sensory hairs on the proboscis that help the butterfly find the food it needs.

The life of these interesting creatures is a reminder that God wants each of us to make changes in our lives. We come into the world with natures that are selfish and sinful. But God has made a way for us to be “born again” through the death of Christ on Calvary’s cross. As our opening verse says, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given an entirely new life. That life is just like the Lord Jesus, and we are to then live our lives like He lived His life. He was always loving, never selfish, and always obedient to God. None of us lives a perfect life like He did, but we are called to this, and He is able to keep us from sin. Do you have the new life God gives?

Did You Know?

When a monarch caterpillar changes into a butterfly, its diet also changes.

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/2025

The Runaway

It was a Lord’s Day afternoon, and Sam and Randy were down by the barn when they heard a clop, clop, clop on the road. They peered around the corner of the barn and to their surprise they saw a strange horse all alone, trotting toward the crossroads. There it stopped, as if trying to read the signs to decide which way to go.

The boys went carefully out to the road and headed the horse off to one side, and then into the corral. She was hungry and thirsty, but almost too nervous to eat, even though the boys tried hard to get her interested. The next day Sam tried to ride her. She gave him a wild ride that he would long remember! He was glad to get off that horse.

After almost two weeks of waiting for someone to claim her and of looking in the “Lost” column of the newspaper, Daddy sent for the brand inspector to come to identify her brand mark. It turned out to be two marks — one on top of the other. The current owner was notified and drove out one day to get
his horse.

He was disgusted. “She’s a runaway; nothing but a runaway! I can’t keep her fenced up, and neither could the man I got her from. Would you just keep her here till spring and I’ll pay you for feeding her?”

Daddy rubbed his chin. “Well, we’re short on feed this fall, and I have all these cattle to feed this winter. I’d rather you took her back with you.”

But the man finally convinced Daddy to keep her for the winter and left with the parting warning that she’d probably make a break in a fence and get away again anyway. The family horse, Silver, and the new horse, which was named Pet, were soon friends. Silver was very tame and loved to be fed special treats from the children’s hands. Pet, however, refused to let anyone get near her and always backed away when Daddy tried to catch her to put a bridle on her.

It was Beth who took a special liking to this shy, high-strung horse. She would often go down to the corral without anyone knowing it, sit on the top rail of the fence, and talk gently to the horse. Pet would snort and run to a far corner of the corral with a frightened look in her eyes. If Beth would approach a few slow steps, Pet would quiver all over. Even a pan full of oats was no bait for friendship as long as Beth was there. So she would set it down and go back to the house. But after visiting the horse every day for a few weeks, Beth felt rewarded when she saw Pet slowly take a few steps towards the pan and start nibbling. Beth sat patiently on the top rail of the fence watching her eat the oats.

Once Pet would eat oats from the pan in her presence, Beth tried to get her to accept oats from her hand. Pet reared up in terror and pawed with her front hoofs. Beth managed to soothe her by talking quietly. Gradually she began to stroke her a bit, and after a few more days, she started to groom her a little with a curry comb. She carefully smoothed the wild tangle of her mane and trimmed out the burrs.

The rest of the family didn’t know what was going on. Pet was no beauty when she came, and probably never would be, but by winter’s end she was looking sleek and well groomed. Even her owner was surprised when he drove in, pulling a trailer in which to haul her, to see her looking so good.

Pet was terrified at being loaded into the trailer. She stood in it trembling and nickering to her friend Silver who, in turn, whinnied loudly from the other side of the fence. Silver ran back and forth as if upset to see Pet about to be taken away.

While the man complained about the price he had agreed to pay Daddy for keeping Pet during the winter months, Beth slipped into the trailer to be close to Pet. Beth put her arms around her neck trying to soothe the scared animal and her own feelings at the same time. Daddy was saying, “No, I don’t need another horse.”

“Well, all right then!” the man said. As he turned quickly to go, he nearly stumbled over the group of children who had gathered around the trailer. They all hated to see Pet go. Beth’s eyes filled with tears as she said, “Please, Daddy.” She could say no more and had to bite her lower lip to keep it from trembling. She was so sad.

Daddy was surprised. “Why all this fuss over a stray horse that’s half wild?”

“She isn’t wild. She isn’t a bit wild. She’s been mistreated and is afraid, I know. She is just frightened, really,” pleaded Beth.

“But we don’t need ... ”
began Daddy.

“Two horses are much nicer than just one,” Randy suggested, and the rest joined in to plead for Pet. Pet didn’t know why the trailer gate was opened again so she could back down to the ground. She did not know that she had been bought by a new master. But when she got out of the trailer, she looked at the faces around her. She looked at the open road ahead of her, and then with a shake of her head, she trotted to the fence where Silver was and waited to get in. She never ran away again.

What kind of master are you serving? Maybe you don’t know that you are serving any kind of master, but you are. The Bible teaches us that we are servants to what we obey, either by obeying sin that leads to death, or by obeying God by doing His will. (See Romans 6:16.) Sinning gradually makes us the prisoner of sin and Satan, even though when we first do such sins, they may seem like fun. But bad habits grow stronger, and sin hardens the conscience and ends in death. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
(Romans 6:23).

Are you unhappy? Would you like to start over? There is a new beginning for you, a new birth and a new life for all who come to the Lord Jesus and tell Him they are lost because of their sins. The Lord Jesus has paid the price to forgive your sins. Come to Him, who loved you and gave Himself for you (Galatians 2:20). His invitation is, “Come unto Me, all [you] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Beth spent many happy hours that summer riding Pet and grooming her till she was sleek and shining. She taught her to lift each hoof in turn so she could pick out any rocks and sharp gravel lodged in the soft spots of her feet. Even Daddy had to smile when he saw Beth hold up the bridle one afternoon, and Pet come running right up to her as if to say, “At your service.”

What made the difference in this horse? It was love. God loves you much more than you know, and His love will change your heart so you will want to obey Him, if you will come to Him.

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

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/2025

Wonders of God's Creation

“God created man in His own image ... and God blessed them, and God said unto them ... have dominion over ... the fowl of the air.” Genesis 1:27-28

Among the birds the Creator has placed throughout the world, there are about 33 species of shrikes. They are birds about the size of a robin, which eat nothing but flesh, including insects, snakes and birds, as well as mice and other rodents. It is thought that the name “shrike” is Old English for “shriek” and refers to their shrieking calls.

While many of them have feathers of black, gray or browns with some white underneath, there are three unusual ones — the woodchat, with a brilliant red cap on its head; the gray-headed, which has a gray head, green wings and bright yellow and orange on its belly and throat; and the plumed helmet, with beautiful black and white feathers and a white feathery plume on the back of its head.

The northern shrike and the loggerhead shrike are the two main shrikes found in North America. The loggerhead is the one most seen in the lower 48 states during the summer, though fewer of them are now seen. “Loggerhead” refers to how large its head is compared to the rest of its body. This pretty gray, white and black bird has a strong, short black beak with a sharp, hooked point like other shrikes, and a black mask across its eyes. Shrikes usually mate for life. The female builds the nest with twigs and grass in trees or shrubs.

This bird prefers 13-foot-high perches in the open where it watches for its prey. When it sees a victim, it swoops down swiftly, catching it in midair or on the ground, and quickly killing it. It can attack creatures larger than itself because of its strong head and bill by essentially giving a whiplash to the victim from the speed at which it attacks its head or neck.

Since its claws are not strong enough to carry its prey very far, it usually hangs it on something sharp nearby. This may be a large thorn, the sharp point of a broken branch, or the barbs of a wire fence. Then it can tear pieces off, eat some, take some to its nest of babies and leave the rest for further meals. This way of impaling its food is how it got the nickname “butcherbird” and this is also why many people don’t like it. However, many farmers are glad to have them nearby, knowing they help destroy harmful insects, mice and other pests.

Perhaps the Creator made the shrike to help farmers, and all of us, in this way, for God’s highest creation is people. Only people are said to be made in God’s image, as our opening verses say. That means you, too! People are special, and every one of us is made for God’s glory, even though many people don’t live like that at all. Do you?

Did You Know?

There are about 33 species of shrikes.

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/2025

A Slippery Slope

One morning, Mr. Elgin and his wife went over to their son’s home to see their new grandchild. Because it was a workday, their son wasn’t home. So after seeing the baby, leaving his wife and daughter-in-law to visit, Mr. Elgin went outside with the dog.

He found a stick and he and the dog started to play fetch. They were having fun when ... oops! The stick went too far, and Mr. Elgin thought it landed on the roof. Not wanting to leave the stick up there, Mr. Elgin went to get a ladder to get up on the roof and find the stick.

Mr. Elgin set the ladder up against the house. He saw it was about one step short of reaching the roof, but he decided he could trust the tread on his new shoes to take him that last step onto the roof.

Safely on the roof, he looked all around, but — no stick. Now he had to get back off the roof. He noticed that his new shoes were not gripping the roof very well. When he found himself slipping, he realized that his son had recently oiled the cedar shake shingles on the roof! How he wished that he had not taken that one step from the top of the ladder onto the roof!

How easy it had been for Mr. Elgin to take that step onto the roof, and he didn’t expect any problems as he climbed up. Have you ever done something like that without thinking ... perhaps something more serious than a step onto a roof, a step into sin? Sometimes we see a thing we would like to try and we don’t expect any long-term problems, even though we know it’s wrong. We think we can walk away after we try it, and we don’t realize that it is Satan’s trap. He knows that sin can be fun, and who wants to walk away from fun? That first sin leads to another, and then another ... and soon we are on a slippery slope to disaster.

Mr. Elgin sat down, but he kept sliding towards the edge. He pounded on the roof and called to his wife, but since he was on the garage part of the roof, she didn’t hear him. About then, the neighbor drove into his driveway and waved a friendly hello. Mr. Elgin waved back. The neighbor disappeared. No help from him, Mr. Elgin thought. Then he remembered the Bible verse that says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). He prayed, “Help me, Lord Jesus.” A thought came to him ... if he could slide over to the corner of the roof where he saw a vent pipe, he could hang on to the pipe until help came. Very carefully he slid over, and he was thankful to find that the seat of his pants wasn’t as slippery on the shingles as his shoes
had been.

Not long after, the neighbor came outside and saw Mr. Elgin still sitting on the roof, hanging onto the pipe. “Do you need help?” the
neighbor called.

“Do I ever!” Mr. Elgin
called back.

The neighbor brought over a long ladder and put it up against the house and helped Mr. Elgin get safely down to the ground. He thanked the helpful neighbor and thanked the Lord for answering his prayer. Then, as he walked around to the front of the house, he found something. There in the front flower bed was the missing stick!

Are you being tempted to take a step into what looks like fun because it seems too good to miss? Turn around now before it’s too late and go instead to the Lord Jesus who loves you and offers you forgiveness for your sins and far more wonderful happiness than this world knows anything about. If you come to Jesus, confessing that you are a sinner and that you need His forgiveness, He will not only forgive your sins, but He will also give you much, much more, including a home in heaven with Him when your life on earth is over.

“Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Memory Verse: “Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/2025

A Kangaroo's Dangerous Attraction

One night in Rome, a big city in Italy, there was a runaway kangaroo. It caused a lot of excitement! Kangaroos don’t normally run around loose in Rome, so people parked their cars along the streets to watch it. They didn’t know where it had come from.

If they were attracted by the kangaroo, he was even more attracted by the headlights of the cars. He would hop along, pause in front of a car with his nose close to the headlights and cock his head to one side, like he was thinking about it. Then he would hop along to inspect the next car’s headlights.

The people in the cars found it entertaining to watch the comical figure of the kangaroo peering into the bright beams of the car lights. They probably didn’t know that thousands of kangaroos die every year in Australia by jumping in front of moving cars because they are attracted by the headlights.

The laughing came to a sudden stop as a sports car came speeding around the corner. Quickly, the kangaroo hopped out in front of the car, attracted by a new set of headlights. The sports car could not stop in time.

The poor kangaroo was rushed to the animal doctor at the Rome Zoo, but the doctor could not save its life. One more time, a kangaroo’s attraction to headlights had caused its death.

The kangaroo’s dangerous attraction caused him to be hit by a car. We all may know children — and grown-ups — who are so interested in the things found in the world we live in — things like sports, entertainment and hobbies — that they never take time to think about the fact that they will die, or about where they will spend eternity.

Have you ever thought about death and where you will go after you die? The Bible teaches us that those who realize they are sinners, want to stop sinning, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior will spend eternity with Him in heaven. But those who find no time for Him or refuse Him, paying no attention to His offer of forgiveness, will be sent into everlasting punishment.

Don’t let the attractions of this life keep you from coming to the Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners. He loves you so much that He died to save you from your sins. The Lord Jesus said, “Him that [comes] to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37), and, “He that [believes] on the Son [has] everlasting life: and he that [believes] not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God [abides] on him” (John 3:36).

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/2025

Wonders of God's Creation: Look Out - A Rattler!

“The wicked are estranged ... speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent.” Psalm 58:3-4

Rattlesnakes are common in North America. Of the approximately 36 species, the largest and perhaps deadliest is the eastern diamondback. Some are up to eight feet long and as big around as a man’s forearm. It is one of a group known as pit vipers. This name comes from two pits located in front of and below each eye. These pits are openings to a pair of extremely sensitive infrared-detecting organs. These, like very simple eyes, “see” the warmth coming off of a living object, giving the snake a fairly accurate picture of it. This ability to see infrared is how it finds prey in the dark.

During daylight it also uses its normal sight and smell. Have you ever seen a snake flicking its tongue? That helps the snake to pick up particles of scents from its surroundings, which it collects in what is called the Jacobson’s organ. This is a special organ on the roof of its mouth that helps it understand the scents collected.

Eastern Diamondback mothers give birth to 4 to 32 live young that hatch from eggs inside her body. She stays with them for 10 to 20 days, until they have shed their skin for the first time, and they all go their own ways. The first rattle segment grows with this first shedding of their skin, and a new one is added each time it sheds its skin. During the first year, they may shed as often as two times a month to make room for their growing bodies. Getting rid of their old skins helps free them from parasites and damage that happens to their skin as they crawl on the ground.

This rattler’s reputation is worse than it deserves. Its main interest in life is to find food, and it does this as quietly as possible. It prefers to hide and will even try to escape to avoid confronting a human. Unless taken by surprise or provoked, it seldom attacks. But when surprised, its tail vibrates rapidly, making the rattle sound, as a warning to stay away. If the confrontation continues, it strikes faster than the human eye can follow. Two long, hollow fangs pierce the flesh and usually inject poison into the wound. When humans are bitten, a medicine (antivenin) is available in every area of the country. Without this, death could result. This poison is how a snake kills its prey.

While we see God’s great kindness in His provisions for the snake in various ways, we know that Satan is referred to as a serpent, or snake. Our opening verse says the wicked have lies and poisonous words in their mouths like a snake’s poison. How careful we need to be that our words are true and kind, like those of the Lord Jesus!

Did You Know?

Rattlesnakes can see in the dark.

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/2025

Messages of God's Love: 2025

Table of Contents

When Cats + Mice Lived Happily Together

Gorillas Can Be Gentle

Saved From Drowning

Messages of God's Love: The Marvel of Birds' Eggs, Part 1

How Ann the Lifeguard Was Saved

Forgiveness

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marvel of Bird's Eggs, Part 2

Thirsty

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marvel of Bird's Nests

The Princess Sophia

Wonders of God's Creation: Four Unusual Frogs

A Urgent Message

Changed by Love

Wonders of God's Creation: Spittlebugs or Froghoppers

Kim: A Story of Forgiveness

Wonders of God's Creation: Life-Saving Instincts

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Wonders of God's Creation: The Comical Puffin

Please Put on Your Crown!

Wonders of God's Creation: Man's Friend - The Horse

Columbe

The Hour Glass

Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Oriole

Free - or Lost?

I Know It!

Wonders of God's Creation: The Wandering Albatross

Playing With Sharks

Wonders of God's Creation: The All-Important Sun

Stealing an Apple

I Don't Understand It!

Wonders of God's Creation: The Marmot (Mountain Whistler)

Clara Barton

Wonders of God's Creation: Insects in Watery Homes

George Whitfield

Wonders of God's Creation: Fish-Loving Harbor Seals

Save a Life

Under the Microscope

Wonders of God's Creation: The World's Best Flying Machine

The Telephone That Wouldn't Work

Bear and the Porcupine

Wonders of God's Creation: The Armadillo

Olimpio the Faithful Shepherd

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fantastic Flamingo, Part 1

Red Tam

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fantastic Flamingo, Part 2

The Stolen Bible

Jaco

Wonders of God's Creation: The Fish With an Unusual Eye

Willie Holt

Wonders of God's Creation: Snails Can Be Beautiful

Tillie on Thin Ice

Your Tongue

Wonders of God's Creation: The Lowly Sparrow

A Scary Elephant Ride

A Letter From Grampa: Chelsea

Wonders of God's Creation: About the Salmon

Wanted!

Whang's Treasure

Wonders of God's Creation: The Desert's Joshua Trees

The Rich Man's Choice

Obey Your Parents

Wonders of God's Creation: The Friendly Llama

The Truck That Disappeared

Five Basic Rules of Courtesy … and God's Love

Wonders of God's Creation: Unusual Incubator Birds

Blind Suzy

Lemon Meringue Pie

Wonders of God's Creation: Your Amazing Brain

Who Brought the Doctor?

Lost — $2000

Wonders of God's Creation: Beautiful Darters

Leona, the Dancer

Wonders of God's Creation: The Black-Footed Ferret

George Whitefield at the Fair

Wonders of God's Creation: A Few Facts About Bats

Rock Slide!

Marco's Miracle

Wonders of God's Creation: The Superb Lyrebird