Jewel # 378 (Oct. 24, 2019)

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildrem

The Great White Shark

By the Lord God were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.  Colossians 1:16

There are about 350 kinds of sharks in the oceans of the world.  We usually think of these creatures as dangerous, and many are, including the one know as thegreat white shark.  When one of these 20-foot, fearsome-looking citizens of the sea is spotted, it is easy to see why they are called great white sharks.  They swim extremely fast and can keep up with big ships as they follow them for the food scraps that are being thrown overboard.

These sharks are found in many places, including off the coast of South Africa and Australia, and along the Pacific coast of North America as well.  They usually travel alone or in pairs and are always on the lookout for fish and other seafood, including seals, sea lions and small porpoises.  

Their most common method of capturing food is to hide in rocks deep under the surface, waiting for a seal or other victim to swim by.  They make a quick dash, attacking the victim from underneath if it is too large to be swallowed whole.  Their jaws have many strong, sharp teeth, with spare ones embedded under those on top.  The spares soon fill in the space of any that break off.

It is through its snout that a great white senses the nearness of other creatures swimming nearby.  This is a more reliable way of locating food than by their rather poor eyesight.  Incidentally, it is thought by marine experts that the rare attack on a human is the result of mistake identity—probably thinking a swimmer is a seal.  These experts suggest that where sharks of any kind are likely to be, it is best for swimmers not to wear dark swimming suits.  They say divers and others who wear black wet suits may really be asking for trouble.

Baby great white sharks are about three and a half feet long at birth and look just like a miniature of the mother.  They stay close to her while learning how to catch their own food. 

We might wonder why such vicious creatures were placed in the oceans, but they were not vicious until sin came into the world and spoiled all of God’s creation.  But there is a day coming, after

those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are taken to heaven, where all creation will be at peace again.  This is the time referred to in Isaiah 11:6 where we are told, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the baby goat; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”     

Will you be with us in heaven looking down on this happy peaceful scene?   

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 377 (Oct. 16, 2019)

Red-Billed Oxpecker

Yellow-Billed Oxpecker

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

Helpful Oxpeckers

The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works.

Psalm 104:31

South of the Sahara Desert in Africa are forests and fields where many wild animals and birds live.  Among the animals are giraffes, rhino, buffalo and warthogs.  These feed on grass and foliage which often conceal insects that leap or fly onto the grazing animals.  These insects eat into the skin of the animals, causing much discomfort and pain.  Some animals will roll in a dusty spot in an effort to get rid of the insects.  However, most of the pests just seem to hang on a little tighter .

The Creator has provided relief for the animals.  The oxpecker, a bird about the size of a large pigeon, finds the insects good to eat and easy to get.  The oxpecker clings to the animal’s back, side or head where, gently swinging its bill back and forth through the hair, it finds and eats the ticks, lice and other insects.

There are two varieties of these birds—one called red-billed and the other yellow-billed, both of which have dark wings over light-brown bodies, short legs and strong claws.

These birds spend most of the daylight hours on the backs, sides, legs and faces of the distressed animals and remain there several hours or even a full day, eating the insects.  The birds may take naps or even get into noisy fights with one another, but the animals pay no attention.  They never try to shake the oxpeckers off,  even when they peck insects from tender spots like eyes, ears and nostrils.  The animals seem to know the birds are doing them a big favour.

As a matter of fact, if the Creator had not provided such relief, none of these animals would survive very long, for the open sores the insects cause would result in infections that would have wiped them out long ago.  Of course, the animals don’t understand that, but God has given them a sense that oxpeckers are really their friends.

The Creator has been kind to send these helpful birds to the animals.  But some may ask, “Why does He allow the harmful insects to bother them?”  When God created the world and all things in it, every insect was harmless.  But when Satan tempted man and he became a sinner, all things were spoiled, including insects.

Our sins will keep us from entering heaven forever when life on earth ends.   But Christ has died on the cross to put those sins away forever from all who accept Him as their Saviour.  A Bible verse tells us, “I will forgive their iniquities, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).  

Have you admitted to Christ that you are a sinner and accepted Him as your Saviour?  

If so, you are assured of a home with Him in heaven.  And that’s good news!

Love you all - Grandpa         

Jewel # 376 (Oct. 8, 2019)

And they shall be Mine saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I

Make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

An Underground Resident

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see Him? saith the Lord.”

Jeremiah 23:24

The mole is a little underground animal that thinks it is hidden from every eye, but it doesn’t know about God, it as Creator, whose eye is always on every living thing.

About eight inches long, the mole is a tireless, rapid digger which the Creator has prepared for its underground life.  Its body has a round shape with a narrow, pointed nose that helps it dig through the soil.  Its front feet, which do the digging, have long, broad claws and are twice the size of its back feet.  It has tiny eyes and is almost blind, which is suitable for its underground life.  In spite of small ears, it has good hearing, as well as a keen sense of smell.

The mole’s fur also has a special design.  It looks and feels like velvet and is made up of short hairs that lie smoothly in any direction in which they may be rubbed.  This enables it to move forward or backward in the tunnels without getting its coat full of dirt.

This little fellow spends all its waking hours either enlarging its tunnels or hunting for worms, insects, spiders and snails.  It always stay underground except for very short trips outside to eat a few green plants.

Their tunnels are always wide enough for two moles to pass and lead from one feeding ground to another, with a living area in between.  As a safeguard, two circular rooms are made at different levels that connect to each other.  When danger threatens, the little animals can escape through any of the many runs that come out from these rooms.  Since it likes a lot of water to drink, it makes little wells in the passageways, enabling it to stay underground.

People with lawns and gardens often consider the mole a pest because its tunnels near the surface raise the soil slightly.  But it does have a useful place in God’s creation by controlling many harmful insects and improving the soil by loosening it as it digs.  

How instructive it is to see the wisdom of God in providing for each of His creatures according to the special needs of its environment.  Have you considered His goodness in providing for your needs?  The Bible says, “God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glorify by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Most blessed of all, He knows the need that each person has for deliverance from sins and judgment.  He has also provided a Redeemer, His own beloved Son Jesus, for all who put their trust in Him.  “He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4).  

If you have not yet accepted this wonderful gift, do so today and thank Him for it.  

Love you all - Grandpa