Jewel # 38 (Aug 18, 2009)

"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,

The Mischievous Raccoon

"God Himself . . . formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited."
(Isaiah 45:18)

In the fading evening light, a family of raccoons comes cautiously out of the woods.  Their masked faces make them look like little burglars, which they often are.  Tonight they head for a tree loaded with ripe plums.  The kits (baby raccoons) remain on the ground while the parents climb up and begin shaking  branches, causing a shower of plums to fall.  Then the whole family enjoys the dinner. 

This fruit dinner is a real treat.  Raccoons eat mostly frogs, crayfish, turtle eggs and clams taken out of shallow waters.  Birds' eggs are also a favorite, especially chicken eggs.  Sweet corn is another special treat.  Raccoons stripping ears from the stalks have ruined many cornfields.

Although raccoons weigh only about twenty-five pounds, dogs are often surprised at a raccoon's fighting ability.  It will not hesitate to attack a dog two or three times its own size.  When being chased by a dog, it is clever at escaping.  It will wade in water, run along fence tops, climb trees, back-track and leap down a hillside, all to break the scent trail the dog is following.  Occasionally a raccoon may let a dog chase it into a lake.  Then it will grab the dog by its neck and force its head under water until the dog drowns.

In spite of its sometimes nasty nature, a raccoon is a pretty animal.  It has a a fox-like face with a black mask around jet-black eyes, erect ears, a black, button nose with whiskers, and a bushy, ringed tail.  It is also very smart and soon discovers how to open latches on chicken coops, pry off garbage can lids, unscrew bottle caps, and even open refrigerators if given the chance.

This animal is another of the wonders of God's creation.  He has given it many life-sustaining instincts and also an intelligence that allows it to learn things necessary for its survival.  It is found both in the woods of the United States and Canada and in the deserts of Mexico and South America.  Its life reminds us of the verse in the Bible:

"The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. . . . The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their [food]  in due season.  Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing."
(Pslam 145:9, 15-16)   

We think of these provisions of the Creator in connection with every creature, but it is also good to remember this prayer that should be in the heart of every boy and girl:

"Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. . . . O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days"
(Psalm 90:12,14)

Jewel # 37 (Aug 4, 2009)

"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,

"Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind . . . [every] beast of the earth after his kind."  (Genesis 1:24)

The stealthy Bobcat

Bobcats live in southern Canada, in many places in the United States, and as far south as lower Mexico.  They are just as much at home in deserts and sagebrush as they are in forests or on rocky hillsides.  Shy and stealthy, it is their sharp hearing that warns them to hide quickly from danger.  Being well camouflaged, they are difficult to spot.  Hikers have been startled to see one standing nearby, watching them, then suddenly disappearing.

The Bobcat is a pretty animal, looking much like a large domestic cat.  However, its  black, stubby tail and buff-coloured fur, patterned with black markings and a solid black streak down its back, immediately identify it.  A full-grown, thirty pound male stands about twenty inches high and is almost three feet long.  The bobcat is the most abundant wild-cat in the U.S.

The Bobcat is a wonderful hunter.  It stalks its victim by creeping a few inches at a time, with its body pressed to the ground.  It patiently waits until it is close enough to make a lightning dash and then pounces on its victim.  Rabbits are a favorite food, and farmers appreciate the bobcat's help in keeping their numbers down, as well as rats, mice and gophers.  Unwary birds are frequently caught, and even turtles and fish are scooped out of shallow water.  Although its piercing howls at night have frightened campers, the bobcat does not attack humans.

These outdoor cats are careful to keep themselves clean by licking their fur frequently.  In winter their fur is thick and heavy, but they shed this heavy coat in summer.  This reminds us of the Creator's kindness to all animals in caring for their needs in all seasons.  And this care of animals also reminds us of His sure promise to people who love Him:

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

The mother bobcat prepares for her expected kittens (three or four in a litter) by searching for a hidden den or a cave and lining the floor with soft materials.  She does all the work alone, including gathering food and training.  When the kittens are born, they are blind for nine or ten days.  At three months she teaches them to find their own food, and at nine months they leave to begin independent lives.

How interesting it is to see how the Lord God cares for all the wild creatures He has placed on the earth.  But of more importance is knowing that in His love to every man, woman, boy and girl, He not only watches over us even more carefully, but He invites us to take our cares to Him as well.

"Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Jewel # 36 (July 22, 2009)

"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,

"Come to ME (Jesus) and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Jewels:

1. What are they?
2. Where are they found?
3. Why are they valuable?

Often jewels are similar in appearance to common rocks.  Dirty, valueless pieces of coal, can become priceless diamonds.  Diamond means "unconquerable."  It consists of one single element, Carbon (Graphite used in a pencil is carbon).  Diamonds are generally found deep underground.  They have endured tremendous pressure.  The heat and pressure has produced hardness and is regarded as the hardest rock known.  Some diamonds are used for drills to penetrate rock.  One of the most common uses is in the production of jewelry.

The Lord God said ". . . in that day when I make up MY JEWELS . . . I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son . . ."  Who is He referring to as His jewels?  His children!  Those who have taken the offer of Jesus to wash away their sins.

We are all sinners but out of "common rocks" God can make a jewel.  He looks on your heart.  He wants you for His jewel.  You may feel that no one is going to make you listen to Him and that you are "unconquerable."  Let Him make you His jewel.

Like a diamond hidden deep in the earth, you too may be far from God.  You may have suffered a lot of "heat" and "pressure" from your buddies.  In God's eyes you are very precious.  He went to a great cost to find you by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ so that you might be washed clean and become like a jewel . . . sparkling, enduring, valuable and wanted.

Jewel # 35 (July 13, 2009)

"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,

In this pleasure-loving age the so-called "Show Business" never seems to lack the "talent" necessary to provide hair-raising performances with which to thrill or amuse the crowds.  it was reported, that, while lying in his hospital bed, where he had spent four years recovering from a car accident, a twenty-nine year old Montreal man came up with the idea of becoming the most incredible stunt man the world has ever known.

He was to be called "The Human Fly," and attempted three spectacular feats in 1976 - 77.  First, the Bonneville sky walk in which he was strapped to the body of a Lear Jet standing upright fifteen feet from the front of the fuselage.  The major event was, however, an attempt to make a one-minute jump across the English Channel strapped to the outside of a custom designed missile.  Later he planned to use a similar missile to jump Mount Everest.  A jump off the CN tower, the world's tallest freestanding structure, into a twenty-foot pool of water was also planned.

Such a daredevil program might have passed unnoticed had it not reminded us that nearly ninety years ago another then famous performer known as the "Human Fly" astounded the world by climbing the walls of some of the tallest buildings in Canada and the United States.  It was announced that the same  Human Fly would climb up the face of one of the large department store buildings in Los Angeles.  Long before the planned event began the area was packed with thousands of spectators to watch this incredible stunt.

Slowly and confidently he began the upward climb, now grasping a window sill, then a jutting brick, then up on to a ledge, always overcoming insurmountable difficulties, till at last he reached the top.  Here he reached right and left above his head for something solid to hold him for the rest of the way.  Then looking up he seemed to spot what appeared to be a piece of weather worn brick or cement sticking out from the otherwise smooth wall.  Risking all in one last upward thrust he grasped the bulge in the wall.  It was a fatal leap!  There was nothing solid there to hold on to.  Before the horrified crowds he fell to the street to his death.

When his broken body was gathered up, his clenched hand was found to be holding a spider's web.  What he thought was firm and dependable proved to be as nothing.  It is true that only a few today imagine, much less attempt, such ridiculous stunts.  Yet how many millions there are trying to reach heaven by their own efforts.  Are you one of them?  Oh, be warned, it is to attempt the impossible.  The Lord Jesus Himself has said:

"I am the way. . . no man comes to the Father but by Me."
(John 14:6)

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised (Jesus) from the dead, you shall be saved."
(Romans 10:9)

"Except you repent you shall all likewise perish."
(Luke 13:3)

Jewel # 34 (June 8, 2009)

"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,

In France many years ago there was a family who loved the Bible.  However, they lived in the times when people were forbidden to read the Bible, and if anyone was found reading it, they were threatened with punishment and even death.

In spite of this persecution, however, the father of this family felt that whatever else he must do without, he must have the Bible to read for himself and for his children.  But he knew that unless he could hide it, it would soon be taken away from him.  He knew, too, that if he expected to keep it, he must hide it where enemies would not think of looking for it.  If he should put it in any of the drawers or in the cupboard or under the bed, they would be sure and look there and find it and carry it off.

So he got a wooden stool with sides around the top.  He turned it upside down and fastened the back of the precious old Book to the underside of the top of the stool.  When the stool was turned upside down, you could open the Bible and turn over the pages and read any part of it.  Then he made a sliding lid to the underpart of the stool so that the Bible might be protected from evil eyes and injury.  When that lid was pushed in, there was nothing about the stool that would lead anyone to suspect what a treasure there was inside of it.  It was just a common looking wooden stool, and anyone might sit on it as he pleased.

If someone came in and did not know what was there, they would have thought it very strange to see the father take that stool every morning and evening, and carefully turn it upside down, lay it reverently on his knee, draw out the lid, and gaze very earnestly on something.  In this way they kept their Bible for years and found salvation, comfort and happiness in reading it.

One day one of those who hated the bible came in the house looking for the precious Book, but he could not find it.  He searched till he was so weary that he came and sat down on the very stool to rest himself.  As he sat there, he wondered where the Bible could be; but he never succeeded in finding it.

Sometime after, the family heard of America and of the liberty people had there to read the Bible as they pleased and to worship God.  So they all came over to this country in a ship, and the precious Book, the Bible, came with them.  They loved it and guarded it.  It was the greatest treasure they had in their new home.  Then when the father died, he handed the Bible down to his children with a charge to keep it in remembrance of the sufferings and trials he had passed through in his native land.

That French family has long since passed away; but that old Bible which was hidden away in the stool, is still to be seen in the hands of their great grandchildren.  We are told that the family who now owns it lives in Western Pennsylvania.

Why do you suppose this family loved that Bible so?  Why, because  it told of a Saviour who loved them and died for their sins upon the cross of Calvary.  It told of the way to true happiness by trusting in this Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It spoke words of comfort in times of trial and guided them in the right way.  

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
(Mark 8:36)

"The world passes away . . . but he who does the will of God abides forever."
(1 John 2:17)

"If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."
(Romans 10:9) 

Jewel # 33 (May 26, 2009)

"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,

Caspar was a great Saint Bernard dog who lived far up on the Alps mountains.  He was a king of the snow - every inch of him.  Though not a very old dog, he had already saved two lives.

One day early in the morning it began to snow up on the mountains.  Upon the mountain sides lay vast masses of snow and ice that grew heavier as the snow fell.  Sometimes just a loud word spoken would jar the air or the snow and send an avalanche crashing into the valley.  In spite of the bad weather, four men and 14-year old Paolo came trudging up the mountain road.  Palolo's father had advised the men not to attempt to cross the mountain that day, but they insisted on going on.  Paolo had slipped unseen out of the house and joined them, for he had lost one of his goats several days before and had hopes of finding it.

Suddenly one of those terrible whirlwinds which often occur in the Alps swept around a corner and moments later Paolo found himself buried beneath an immense heap of snow.

He could breath but that was all.  How many feet of snow were above him he did not know.  He found himself sinking deeper and deeper in the soft snow.  At last his feet touched the ground.  He struggled and kicked and rolled and scrambled his way along for several yards.  Suddenly he stumbled out into the open air and went plunging down a precipice only to fall into a another bed of snow.  He found himself on a ledge some 20 feet below the road, but there he was unable to go further.

Paolo thought about his parents and what a wretch he was for leaving them as he had done.  He could not shout for the cold, and he could not see far.  He knew if he went to sleep, he would never wake up again.  In all the world there was no one who could save him.  But Paolo was not counting on Caspar.  Then he dozed off.

In the meantime the four men had gone on and reached the inn.  They told how Paolo had disappeared in the avalanche of snow.

At once two men started our with Caspar.  Right through the snow storm came the great dog!  Running over the frozen crust, plunging through the deep places, bounding, leaping, caring not for the drifts or storm, like a snow king, as he was, came Caspar.

He made a dash at Paolo and rolled him over in the snow.  Then he barked at him in his deep gruff voice as if to say, "Wake up, foolish boy!  Don't you know I am here?  It is all right now."  He pushed Paolo first on one side and then the other until finally the boy opened his eyes.

Again the great Caspar barked.  His loud commanding voice seemed to announce: "I've found him!  Here he is!"  The two men arrived, and taking Paolo by the arms, they lifted him up.  They started home with Paolo between them and Caspar leading the way.

Caspar cared not for drift or storm until he found the boy.  Conquerer of the snows, triumphant over the storm, he was a true snow king.

And the Lord Jesus has conquered death and the grave to save His lost and perishing sheep.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
(Isaiah 53:6)

Would you like to be saved?  Simply tell Jesus that you are a sinner.  Then - - -  

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."
(Acts 16:31)

Jewel # 32 (May 12, 2009)

"They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in the day when I make up MY JEWELS."
(Malachi 3:17)
   

To my dear Grandchildren,

He was only a poor shepherd in Southern India.  His hours were long and his work difficult.  He rode an old ox which he had trained and brought up, and the flock followed him in the true Eastern custom.  One of the difficulties the shepherd had to encounter was the lack of water.  To find a well was a most welcome occurrence.

A day came when the  poor goats had been without water for some time.  Leaving the ox with them, the shepherd wandered a long time in search of water.  Suddenly he came upon an old well, among some ancient ruins.  While he was looking down to investigate, the edge of the well gave way and the shepherd fell some feet.  However, he was caught upon a ledge and his life was spared. 

Somewhat bruised and half-stunned, the poor man began to collect his thoughts.  He was truly in a pitiable plight, more than a mile from his faithful ox and the flock of goats.  He was not able to climb up the side of the well and not a soul could hear his cry for help.

Just then he heard a hissing sound and, though it was growing dark, he saw something moving below in the bottom of the well.  It was a mass of snakes!  What was he to do?  In the hour of his extreme danger, he remembered that when he was a boy there had come into his native village a missionary.  Although he had not taken much heed, he went to hear the white teacher speak.

One thing he remembered the missionary had said, and that was that in the hour of danger or trouble, a certain wonderful Lord Jesus Christ would hear and answer prayer.  With a childlike faith, in agony and fear, the poor man prayed to the Lord for help.  After praying for some time, he seemed to to have fallen asleep.  Some hours later he woke up and found it was dawn - the darkness had gone!  Something was touching his head.  He looked up and saw the face of his old ox looking down at him, and it was the rope dangling from the faithful animal's neck that was touching his head.  Grasping the rope he called to the ox to back away.  Thus he was pulled from the well.  In answer to his prayer God had sent his ox to find him and saved his life.

It was this experience that brought the shepherd to trust in the Lord, and he became a faithful follower of His.  He devoted his life in testifying to his people of that wonderful God who answers prayer. 

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me."  (Psalm 55:16)
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."  (Psalm 56:3)
"Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."  (Psalm 50:15)