Daily Devotional – May 21

Biology

The size and variety of cats are simply astounding. Yet few people looking at the amazing variety of the cat family--from lions to leopards and panthers to Persians--realize that they are extremely closely related. If it were not for the size differential, all cats could interbreed. Biologists classify different cats (such as lions/tigers, jaguars/cheetahs, margays/ocelots, bobcats/lynxes, and domestic cats) as distinctly different species. Sometimes they are even placed into different biological families because they do not naturally interbreed, live in different environments, and are of vastly different sizes. Yet a 6-pound domestic cat can breed a 15-pound margay; a 15-pound margay can produce offspring with a 30-pound ocelot; a 30-pound ocelot can be crossed with a 80-pound puma, which has been shown to be fertile with a 120-pound leopard, which has been bred with a 250-pound lion, which can produce a striped “liger” when bred with a massive 400-pound tiger.1 Thus, the entire cat family, from one end to the other, is so inner-fertile that the various breeds and families can interbreed. Contrast that with humans and our supposedly “closely-related ancestors.” Scientists have spent years trying to crossbreed humans with apes, chimpanzees, and gorillas, but the gulf is so vast that nothing has ever resulted - because mankind is not related to such animals.

So, how did such vastly different-looking cats originate? God placed all of the information needed to create the enormous variety of cats within an original “cat-type creature.” He then created a process we call “speciation,” which allows variations of offspring to mate in order to fill different environments in which they live. Biologists have shown that it takes as few as 10 generations for a completely new species to develop! God used Noah to preserve all the variety of animal life we find on the earth today. Noah did not need to bring dozens of different kinds of cats upon the ark but only two that had the broad variety of information upon their DNA code to speciate into the variety of cats we see in the world today. And only God would have known which cat had the correct coding. Thus it was God, not Noah, who selected the animals to be taken on the ark!

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of everything that creepeth upon the earth, there went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

~ Genesis 7:8-9

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 20

Design

God has put many design features into our world. For example, the earth has a built-in thermostat to help keep the earth’s temperature moderated. When an ocean warms, it causes the amount of water vapor entering the air to increase. If the heating continues, the water vapor will be forced higher into the atmosphere and form icy cirrus clouds. These clouds then reflect the incoming sunlight that decreases the temperature on earth. God uses the clouds as a built-in thermostat. Do we say a thermostat happened by accident and chance? Evolution is based on random changes over time (accident and chance). Why would anyone believe that God’s “cloud thermostat” happened by accident and chance?

Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

~ Job 37:11-12

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

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Daily Devotional – May 19

Geology

Sedimentary rock covers almost 75% of the earth’s surface. Have you ever wondered how sedimentary rock layers were made? Let’s find out. Fill a pint jar with ¼ cup pebbles, ¼ cup of white sand (easier to see with white sand but any sand will do) and ¼ cup of ground-up kitty litter with no additives (kitty litter is bentonite clay). Add water until almost full. Place lid on the jar and shake vigorously to mix. Let the jar stand until all the materials are settled and the water becomes somewhat clear. You should see some results of layering in 15 minutes. It will take several hours for the water to become clear (clay particles settle slowly). Moving water has the ability to separate sediments into layers.

During the Flood of Noah’s day, rocks were ground up in the cataclysmic flood, then transported and laid down. Evolutionists believe that sedimentary layers took millions of years to form, but with your “flood jar,” we observe layers being formed quickly. Sedimentary rock layers are not a monument to time; the rock layers are a monument to the Genesis Flood.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

~ Luke 19:40

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 18

Biology

The oceans are full of amazing creatures, but none are masters of disguise like the cuttlefish. This creature has been coined “The King of Camouflage.” It can distort its body into 40 different body shapes mimicking everything from a starfish to a squid; change its skin texture to mimic its background like corals, kelps or rocks; display a dizzying array of motions from swaying seaweed to swimming fish; change colors across the spectrum from red to blue to yellow; and flash zebralike patterns across its body. And all of these colors, textures, shapes, and patterns can be changed within seconds!

One scientist studying the cuttlefish was amazed as he watched each cuttlefish transform into a “tailor-made camouflage pattern” for a particular microhabitat. Two identical cuttlefish settled to the ocean bottom. One instantly took on the coloration and texture of sand and disappeared into the background. The other was only ten feet away where algae covered the ocean bottom, and it took on the coloration and texture of algae. Each of these two cuttlefish “tailor-made” its camouflage pattern.

How are cuttlefish able to do this when they cannot even see their skin? In fact, scientists believe cuttlefish are even colorblind, only seeing the color green! The scientist was right in calling these cuttlefish “tailormade”; they were tailor-made by the great Tailor, God Himself!

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

~ Psalm 97:1

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 17

Botany

Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid, the vanilla planifolia plant? This orchid grows up trees as a vine. Unlike most orchids, this one blooms only one morning each year and only for a few hours and then it wilts. While it is blooming, it needs to be pollinated, otherwise no vanilla bean will develop. God has created this plant to be pollinated by a small flea-sized bee called the Mexican Melipona bee. It is the only insect capable of pollinating this orchid.

After landing on the flower, the bee lifts up the hood, collects the pollen and flies to another vanilla orchid. Once pollinated, a vanilla bean will be produced. Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who caused the fall of the Aztecs in Mexico, loved vanilla and brought back the vanilla orchid to Europe. For 300 years, Europeans grew the plant from cuttings, but no vanilla beans were produced! Then in 1836, a Frenchman went to Mexico and sat and watched the vanilla orchid. He heard the buzzing sound of the Mexican Melipona bee as it pollinated the orchid. The secret to vanilla beans was discovered! This bee knew how to lift the hood and go in; no other insect can do this! This bee is made for this orchid, and this orchid is made for this bee. They were made for each other. How do evolutionists explain this? If it did not work the first time, the first generation of the vanilla plants would have become extinct. So as you enjoy that delicious vanilla ice cream, thank God for a little bee and a vanilla orchid.

Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things:  this is known in all the earth.

~ Isaiah 12:5

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

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Daily Devotional – May 16

Christian Truth

Few people in history have suffered as dramatically as Job. In a brief period of time, he lost his enormous wealth, his stature/fame/prestige, and every one of his ten children, and he was covered with excruciatingly painful boils - causing him continuous, unstoppable agony. His only momentary relief was to scrape his skin with a piece of broken pottery so hard that his entire body became a raw, oozing sore. His closest friends could not even recognize him, and his wife’s only advice was to, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). Yet in the face of such monumental suffering, Job correctly acknowledges this reality: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”(Job 2:10 NIV).

How a loving God can allow human suffering has been a central question throughout the ages – especially when we are the ones in anguish. Every human being stands sinful before God, and we deserve death for our rebellion. Yet, God took the penalty of death upon Himself in an act of unconditional, sacrificial love. While God sees the big picture and what the future holds, we constantly turn from Him in self-centered desires. Physical death exists as the only possible door for believers to come back into fellowship with God. But how could we die if disease and sickness did not exist? How could we help and empathize with others if nothing “bad” ever happened to us? How could we truly appreciate the blessings of God if we never experience the removal of these blessings? God understands suffering and knows what is best for us. It is through the tough times that we draw closest to him.

Job repeatedly acknowledged that God was both aware of his pain and was allowing him to experience it. In a classic and prophetic statement, Job declared, “I know that my redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25 NKJ). Yet, Job cried out for an explanation of why he was going through such anguish. In the end, God did answer this question. Throughout four chapters of Scripture, in the longest recorded monolog from God to mankind, God explains His majesty, power, understanding and control over all things to Job and each one of us. Jesus Himself stated as fact, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33 NIV) When you are suffering, concentrate on the height of God’s majesty - not the depth of your sorrows. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

~ John 16:33

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 15

Biology

Earthworms help plants by plowing, aerating, and fertilizing the soil. Earthworms dig burrows that help channel water and air throughout the soil. They drag plant matter (such as old leaves and grass) down into their burrows, which they eat along with huge amounts of soil. It has been estimated that 90% of the fallen leaves in an orchard are ultimately dragged underground by earthworms! The food is then digested, and the remains “cast” onto the surface of the ground in small balls. These worm castings are high in nitrogen that is vital for plant growth. An acre of land can contain as many as three million earthworms aerating and fertilizing the soil! Our home sits on a 3 acre lot. That means there are more worms on our little plot of land than the population of New York City (estimated at 8.4 million people).

It has been estimated that every 300 - 400 years, every particle of soil on the top 16 inches of the earth’s surface has passed through an earthworm’s gut! How does evolution explain these tireless tillers? Did some earthworm just decide to start eating dirt one day in order to recycle plant material with tons of dirt and thereby provide nitrogen needed for plants? Hardly. God, the Grand Designer, knew that for us to exist on earth, we needed plants. So, God created these little creatures to plow, aerate, and fertilize the soil.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:  because his mercy endureth forever.

~ Psalm 118:1

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

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Daily Devotional – May 14

History

Why do you think evolution caught on so quickly? That was the question the interviewer on public TV asked Sir Julian Huxley, the grandson of Thomas Huxley who popularized evolution during Darwin’s day. Sir Julian Huxley was the president and founder of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). During his lifetime, he was the world’s ambassador for evolution.”

What was the reason so many scientists in the 1800s accepted the unprovable assumptions of evolution - lock, stock, and barrel? Was it that Charles Darwin had superb evidences that proved the fact of evolution? Was evolution of bacteria to people proven beyond any doubt by reproducible experimentation? Did the fossil record prove evolution? Had animals been seen changing from one type into a completely different body structure? No, none of this had ever happened.

So, why was evolution accepted so rapidly? According to Sir Julian Huxley, “[I suppose the reason] we all jumped at Origins was because the idea of God interfered with our sexual mores.” It wasn’t scientific evidence that caused people to accept evolution but their desire to justify sexual immorality! When evolution replaces God, then everything is permissible.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

~ Hebrews 4:12

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 13

Biology

What animal only comes out to feed at night, lives in caves, uses sonar to navigate, has eyes like a deep-sea fish, hovers in place, and has a phenomenal sense of smell? If you guessed a bat you are wrong. It is actually a unique bird that lives in South America commonly known as the “oilbird.” Oilbirds got their name from the native Indians who knocked them from their nests on the cave ledges with long poles so that they could melt down the fat in the bird to make oil for torches. While most other birds roost at night and are active during the day, the oilbird is the opposite. During the day, oilbirds roost on cave ledges, digesting the previous night’s fruits and nuts.

Oilbirds navigate in total darkness by emitting clicking calls in rapid succession and listening for their return echoes. Unlike bats, which emit ultrasonic clicks that we cannot hear, oilbirds’ clicks are audible. They leave the cave at night and use their echolocation system, their keen sense of smell, and incredible eyesight to find fruits and nuts. During these foraging trips, they do not perch, but hover in place to feed. The oilbird’s retinal rods are stacked in three tiers, an arrangement seen only in deep-sea fish that live in total darkness. The density of this bird’s rods is 1 million rods per square millimeter. This, in combination with its oversized pupils, gives the oilbird the greatest light-gathering capacity of any land animal!

What a bizarre bird: it uses sonar like a bat, has eyes like a deep-sea fish, hovers in place like a hummingbird, and tracks smells like a bloodhound. As with the duck-billed platypus, the oilbird has a hodgepodge of features from all over the animal kingdom with no clear evolutionary ancestry. This makes perfect sense if the entire animal kingdom has a common Designer--God--but defies any naturalistic evolutionary explanation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

~ Psalm 111:2

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 12

Paleontology

Carbon -14 (14C) dating can only be done on the tissue of something that used to be alive. All plants and animals contain carbon, including some 14C. As they continue to live, carbon is added to their tissues. After they die, no more carbon is added; the unstable 14C begins to decay to nitrogen-14. To determine the age of a sample, scientists measure the amount of carbon-14 left. Scientists have found that 14C has a half-life of about 6,000 years (5,720). So after 6,000 years only ½ of the original carbon-14 would be left. After another 6,000 years ¼ would be left and so on.

Since the 14C keeps decaying, after about 18 divisions (representing a supposed 100,000 years), there is not enough left for a mass spectrometer machine to measure. After about 40 divisions (representing about 220,000 years), there should not be a single atom of 14C left. For years, Bible-believing scientists have been radiocarbon dating (14C) materials found at various levels in the geological rock layers. Evolution-believing scientists never bother to radiocarbon date artifacts found in rock layers because they have been conditioned to believe in evolution, and evolution requires these rocks to be millions of years old. Therefore, in their minds, it is impossible to find any 14C within any creature found in these “millions-of-year-old” rock layers.

Yet, fossils found within the rock layers still have LOTS of 14C. And the amount of 14C left in the samples always seems to fall within the same range - 5% to 12% of modern levels. This same 5-12% level is found regardless of where the sample came from in the rock layers. Thus the very earliest forms of life in the rock layers (assumed to be 500 million years old) have essentially the same amount of radiocarbon as fossils found in upper rock layers (assumed to be 5 million years old). This means ALL the rock layers were laid down during one event because all the life found in these rock layers is essentially the same age!

So what do evolutionists do with such evidence? Basically, they assume the 14C is just “background contamination.” What the evidence of measurable levels of 14C in fossils actually reveals is that these layers were laid down a short time ago and all at once. When we put on our Biblical glasses, these fossils were laid down about 4400 years ago in the Flood of Noah’s time. The C14 level is so low because before the flood less C14 was produced and spread through more biomatter.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

~ Hebrews 1:10-11

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.