Nature Walk: Murres
Murres (/MURZ/) are ocean birds that look like a cross between a penguin and a duck. To protect their eggs and baby chicks from enemies, they lay their eggs on the edge of rocky cliffs. Yikes! God gave their eggs the special shape of a pear with a super pointy top end, so they don't roll easily. God keeps us safe from danger, too. Psalm 27:5 says, "During danger,... He will keep me safe on a high mountain." Our Bible story is about God protecting prophet Elijah in the wilderness.
Memory Mastery: God's Special Book
We are learning important facts about God's special book, the Bible. Please look at a Bible while you listen along. Then, see if you can answer the questions below.
Mission Helper: Night Rescue
Mats was on vacation at lake in Sweden with his family. He was learning how to do wind surfing. Wind surfing is when you stand on a surfboard that has a sail mounted to it for the wind to push it along.
Mats got permission from Dad to go out further on the lake, but as the day went on, the wind pushed him further and further away from shore. He couldn't see Dad anymore. He became worried and prayed to God for help.
Night time came, and Mats was still on the water and unable to get to shore. He wondered if anyone would find him. A boat passed by, but it didn't stop for him. He continued praying to God. Suddenly, he heard a loud rushing sound overhead. It was a helicopter. Lights focused on him. A man descended a rope and grabbed Mats. Soon, they were both in the helicopter. The men covered Mats in a blanket and brought him to the hospital where his parents met him. Mats was OK. He was so thankful that God kept him safe out on the water and sent him help just in time. Do you pray when you are in trouble? God hears us, and He will send us help. Bible Story: God Cares for Elijah
Reference: 1 Kings 17
King Solomon later disobeyed God and caused the people to worship idols. God was so sad. He told Solomon that He would break up his kingdom. After Solomon died, God divided his kingdom into 2 nations - Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
King Ahab was one the kings of Israel. He and his wife Jezebel were very wicked. They worshiped idols and hurt God's prophets.
God sent prophet Elijah to give King Ahab a message. "Because of your wickedness, there will be no rain in Israel for 3 years," prophet Elijah told the king. King Ahab was angry. He wanted to hurt prophet Elijah, but God helped prophet Elijah hide.
God sent prophet Elijah to the brook Cherith. There Elijah drank water, and God sent the ravens to bring Elijah food every day.
Our prayer verse, Matthew 6:8, says, "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." God took care of Elijah, and God will take care of you.
Dear Father God, Thank You for taking care of all my needs. I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen
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Nature Corner: World's Largest Beaver Dam
Beavers are God's furry architects. They use fallen trees and mud to build dams in water ways. A dam stops or slows the water flow so that a pond is created. Then, the beaver can build its home, called a lodge, where it will be surrounded by water. By surrounding themselves with water, beavers are protected from enemies that may try to hunt them. But in making their dam, they have also created a wetland. Wetlands are shallow water areas that are home to many other animals and plants.
Beaver dams are usually about 15 feet long and 5 feet wide or much bigger. But, there is one dam that is so big, you can see it from space! It's over 2,000 feet long. It was discovered in 2007 on satellite images in North Alberta, Canada. Beavers have worked on it for over 20 years! You can visit it on Google Maps here below.
The North Alberta beaver dam reminds me of a big construction project in the Bible that took 20 years - Solomon's temple for God. In 2 Chronicles 6:18, Solomon asked, "But, God, can you really live here on the earth with people? Not even the highest of heavens can hold you. And this Temple I built cannot hold you." But, God did come in a thick cloud and fill His temple showing Solomon and all of Israel that God does want to live with us on earth.
Bible Story: Building a House for God
Reference: 2 Chronicles 2-7
King Solomon decided to move forward with building the temple for God. He wanted God to have a place on earth to call home that was a beautiful house. Instead of coming up with his own plan of how to do it, he used the plans that God had given David his father. Solomon also built the temple on the spot that God had told David to build it, Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
Building the temple was a big project. Solomon needed lots of help. So, he gathered together all the best workers from his country and from Tyre to help him build everything for the temple. He also gathered all the best materials, like gold, cedar, bronze, and blue, purple, and red linen. He pulled out all the precious things David his father had set aside for the temple. Even with all that help, it took Solomon 20 years to build the temple for God.
When the temple was finished, Solomon gathered all the priests, levites, and people of Israel together to have a special ceremony to present to God His new house. Solomon kneeled in front of the people before God and prayed, "Father God, You are the only God in the Universe. There is no one like You. You have kept your promise to my father David that I would be king and that I would build Your house. Here is Your house. But You, God, are so great and big that not even heaven can hold You. Even so, please, come live with us here in this house. We want to obey and serve You as your people. If we disobey and say we are sorry, please always accept us again. Amen."
When Solomon finished praying, a wonderful thing happened. God sent fire out of heaven to consume the sacrifices that Solomon had prepared on the altar. God's glory filled the temple, so that it was covered in a thick cloud. All of the people fell on their faces and said, "The Lord is good. His love continues forever." God was happy to live with His people, Israel.
Our prayer verse is Revelation 21:3, which says, "Now God’s home is with men. He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God." Did you know that God wants to live with us? He can live with us right now through the Holy Spirit. After Jesus comes again and makes this earth new again, God the Father and Jesus will come and live with us on earth forever.
Dear Father God, I invite your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen |
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