Daily Devotional – May 31

Cosmology

The universe is filled with indications of great age, yet God’s Word tells us, “In six days the Lord made THE HEAVENS and the earth....” (Exodus 20:11 emphasis added). Star deterioration, supernovas, and colossal distances all seem to testify to an extremely old universe. So how could God have made the entire universe quite recently in only “six days”?

When the Bible states:  “In six days…”, we have to know at what location these “six days” of time occurred. Since the earth’s rotation is the measure of a “day”--and the earth is the central focus of the biblical account of history—it seems rather straightforward that six literal earth days, measured at the earth’s location within space, is the measure of time in which the universe was created. Yet, time moves at different rates depending on the location where the passage of time is occurring. It has been found that a clock at sea-level runs a tiny fraction of a percent slower than a clock on top of a mountain. A brilliant Bible-believing physicist, Dr. Russell Humphreys, has proven that millions of years could have passed further out in space while only six days were passing on the earth!

As the very fabric of space was being stretched out, time in some areas would have literally stopped. Meanwhile, millions and even billions of years could have been passing only slightly further out. Near the center of the universe, time essentially stood still in comparison to areas outside of an event boundary. Thus on “day four”, when the stars were made, there would have been a massive increase in the mass of the universe, and literally billions of years could have passed outside of our solar system (as the stars of the universe were being created and aging), while only a literal day was passing here on earth. This is called time dilation. This is not deceptive on the part of God – just the mathematical consequence of making and stretching out the universe.

We have to remember God’s Word is true; He created in six days about 6,000 years ago (according to the genealogical biblical records). How He did it is difficult to understand. God delights in showing us His power through the things He has made.

It is he... that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.

~ Isaiah 40:22

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you,”

~ John 15:18

“You have enemies? Good! That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

~ Winston Churchill (1874-1965), Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 30

Paleontology

In modern-day Cambodia stands the ancient temples of Angkor, which were built in the 12th century. These temple buildings are decorated with thousands of animal images carved into the stone. Hundreds of these decorations are circular reliefs with a central animal. Many of these carved animal images are familiar - such as deer, water buffalo, monkeys, parrots, swans, and lizards. In every image, the representation is of a real creature that the artist has seen. In one of those decorative stone circles is the carving of a stegosaurus.

A stegosaurus is a dinosaur that looks like a heavily armored tank with spikes on its tail and large plates along its spine. Evolutionists say that dinosaurs became extinct over 65 million years ago. If this really were the truth, no human being could ever have seen a stegosaurus. Yet, we have seen one carved on a temple dating about 900 years ago. If school children were shown a picture of this carving, they would instantly recognize it as a stegosaurus. On page 213 of his book Angkor, Cities and Temples, Claude Jacques describes this carving as “an animal which bears a striking resemblance to a stegosaurus.” What does this mean? The relief carver had to have seen a stegosaurus. This should not surprise us for we were both made on the same day of creation week, Day 6. Dinosaurs and man did live together, and ancient man recorded it in his artwork. Dinosaurs today seem to have finally gone extinct, just like the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon, but only 900 years ago, there is evidence to support the reality that at least a few were still around.

Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee….

~ Job 40:15

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 29

Biology

In the shallow waters of Africa lives the Black Heron, which has an incredibly creative way of catching its food. Sunlight can cause a harsh glare on the surface of water, making it nearly impossible for the Black Heron to see into the water and find fish. In addition, fish tend to avoid the bright sunshine at the water’s surface. So, what does a Black Heron (also known as the “umbrella bird”) do?

As he slowly wades through the shallow waters, he spreads his wings, forming a dome-shaped black umbrella over the water. Then, he crouches down until the wings almost touch the water’s surface. The fish think this darkened area is a good place to hide, just like under a lily pad. But in the case of the Black Heron, it is actually a trap for these little fish. As soon as an unsuspecting fish swims over into the shade, the umbrella bird pokes his head into the water and comes out with a squirming fish. Ask any fisherman which part of the lake he gets the best catches and he will say, “The shady part.” How did the umbrella bird learn to hunt in this way? Evolutionists call this “canopy feeding,” but just because they name it doesn’t mean they understand it. As Bible believers, we do; God created the umbrella bird to fish in such a manner.

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

~ Psalm 72:19

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 28

Biology

Did you ever wonder how perching birds can sleep on branches without falling off? God has given them a special toe-locking device! In each leg is a tendon that is attached to the underside of the toes, stretching up the leg to the back of the “ankle,” and attaching to the leg muscle. When the bird relaxes, it bends its “ankle” which pulls on the tendon and causes the toes to curl more tightly. The more the bird relaxes the more it bends, and the more it curls its toes. The tendon even has hundreds of ratchet-like projections that mesh with the grooves in the tendon sheath. It is virtually impossible for a bird to fall off a perch while sleeping. As the bird stands up, the tendon is relaxed, and the feet are released.

Evolutionists would have us believe that this special toe-locking device happened by accidental changes over millions of years. If the tendon was present without the ratchetlike projections, how would the tendon stay taunt? And what about the ratchet-like projections, they require a complimentary groove for them to function properly? These parts had to be present from the beginning. Our Creator cares even for the way a bird perches.

The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

~ Matthew 13:31-32

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 27

Biology

The beaver is uniquely designed for a semi-aquatic life. It has special valves in its nose and ears that close automatically when underwater. To see well underwater, it has transparent eyelids that act like swimming goggles. When a branch-carrying beaver is swimming, how does it not choke on water going down its mouth? Behind its front teeth are two flaps of skin that close tightly to prevent water from entering the beaver’s throat. Its tail is used as a rudder when swimming or a balance support when standing upright. Its tail also radiates heat when its body is too warm. The rear feet are webbed like a duck’s - for good swimming-while the front feet are unwebbed, so it can dig canals and carry branches. To keep itself from hypothermia the fur is richly oiled by two oil glands which the beaver spreads on its fur; water rarely touches its skin. Fat below the skin further protects it from the cold. And, of course, beavers are known for their teeth and the ability to gnaw trees down and eat them. For this, they have continually growing incisors. Beavers just have to gnaw!

All of these beaver features had to be present and fully functioning from the beginning in order to survive. What if their teeth never grew after gnawing on trees? They would be ground down, and the beaver could not survive. What if the mouth flaps were not present? Water would flood their throat, choking them. Imagine digging canals with webbed front feet or swimming with no webbed back feet. The beaver is a showcase of God’s creativity.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…

~ Ecclesiastes 12:1

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

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Daily Devotional – May 26

Paleontology

Textbooks, TV programs, and museums place distinct 12 geological rock strata in a vertical order and name this sequence, “the geological column.” In this geologic column, the rock layers or strata form a sequence from top to bottom. Yet, the complete geological column is not found at any location on earth, it is only found in diagrams!

Before the 1800s, the sequence of different rock layers (and fossils found within these rocks) were known, but the general order was acknowledged to exist as a result of these rock layers being formed during the year-long Flood of Noah’s time. First buried were the sea creatures and later, as the flood waters increased, land creatures were buried. The geologic column was the order of what was caught in the Flood. During the late1800s, evolution became popular, so the meaning of the geological column changed. It now was a tool for promoting the evolution of life - from bacteria to people, over millions of years. But what do we find in the fossil record of this geological column?

Near the very bottom of the geological column is the Cambrian layer. In the Cambrian layer, we find fossil remains of complex creatures from most of the major animal groups. In fact, we find representatives of every major animal phylum both alive today and those that are now extinct. This explosion of complex life is called the “Cambrian Explosion.” The Cambrian Explosion is actually explosive evidence against slow and gradual evolution! When we study the facts, we find God’s word is true. The Bible states in clear straightforward terms that God created all plants and animals on earth in six literal days. Over a thousand years later, the Flood of Noah took place, leaving behind the fossil evidence. The “Cambrian Explosion” testifies to the accuracy of Scripture.

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

~ Exodus 20:11

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 25

Geology

Worldwide, we find bent and folded sedimentary layers. This observation provides strong evidence for a worldwide flood. During the year-long Flood of Noah’s day, many sedimentary layers were laid down in rapid succession. As the mountains rose, these flat layers were bent and folded. For rock layers to fold, they must still be soft and pliable. During the Flood, sediments would be deposited by water into layers, and some water would be trapped. The pressure of the other sedimentary layers on top would have squeezed the particles closer together, forcing much of the water out. The removal of excess water caused the remaining chemicals in the water to turn into natural cement. This cement changed the once soft and wet sedimentary layers into hard, brittle, rock layers. This process is called diagenesis and can happen quickly--within hours, days, or months.

Bent and folded rock layers show that all the bending and folding had to happen when the layers were still soft and pliable, in order to be folded without fracturing. Conventional thinking assumes heat and pressure could have caused these bent and folded layers; however, we do not find metamorphic rocks that would have resulted had high pressure and heat been involved. Bent and folded sedimentary layers are very common in mountainous regions and show us that these layers were laid down in rapid succession during the Flood of Noah’s day, not over millions of years.

They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

~ Psalm 104:8

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 24

Microbiology

Certain bacteria love to live in the mud, but they do not like oxygen. So, they need to know which way is down, that is, away from oxygen found in higher concentrations nearer to the surface of the mud. Large creatures use gravity to know which way is down, but bacteria are microscopic and do not have any apparatus to sense direction of gravity’s pull.

A graduate student studying these mud-loving bacteria noticed that they would congregate on the north side of the microscope’s slide. So, he placed a bar magnet on the opposite side of the slide, overriding earth’s magnetic field. Sure enough, the bacteria swam to the other side, thinking it was north. In the northern hemisphere, the further north one goes, the more a compass needle dips toward the center of the earth; at the North Pole, the needle dips straight down. If a bacteria had an internal magnetic compass, it would not only guide itself north, but it would have the ability to sense which direction was down and away from oxygen within a mud layer.

Upon further investigation, each bacterium was found to have molecular sized particles of magnetized iron (magnetite or lodestone), arranged in a line along the axis of the cell. Each piece of magnetite was roughly cubic and only about 50 nanometers (or one millionth of a millimeter) on each side. Mankind has never been able to make magnetite particles this small! Since that first discovery of bacteria having a built-in compass, dozens of varieties have been found displaying this same magnetic response. Bacteria with compasses; Jesus loves to surprise us with His creativity!

The north and the south thou hast created them….

~ Psalm 89:12

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

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Daily Devotional – May 23

Biology

The Bristle-thighed curlew is an amazing bird! When the Alaskanborn chicks are just five weeks old, the parents abandon them and migrate to the South Pacific. For the next few weeks, the chicks go on a feeding frenzy, fattening themselves for the same 5000 mile journey. The young birds are on their own to find the tiny islands of Fiji in the vast Pacific Ocean. They travel non-stop without a guide and arrive with pinpoint accuracy to the same mudflats and sandy beaches where their parents have flown. Unlike seabirds that can stop, rest, and feed along the way, curlews will drown if they land on the ocean. The 5000 mile trip is all or nothing.

How do you explain a curlew’s ability to navigate, untaught, to the opposite hemisphere some 5000 miles across the Pacific, flying non-stop, and landing with pin point accuracy at their winter home? Evolution implies that all this happened by accident and chance. What are the odds? Navigation over vast distances does not happen by accident and chance! The Creator coded within the curlew the route to take. When there is a code, there must be a code-maker, and that codemaker is the Creator God.

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

~ Psalm 145:9

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

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – May 22

Biblical Accuracy

What is the smallest seed? The vanilla orchid seed is microscopic in size and to date is acknowledged as the smallest seed. So was Jesus wrong when he stated that the mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds?

Let’s look at the context. Matthew 13:31-32 (NKJ) says, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds.’ ” The mustard seed was cultivated during this time. So the mustard seed was spoken of in comparison to other seeds that were sown by the farmers. “It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth” (Mark 4:31 NKJ). Of the common seeds that are planted by farmers, the mustard seed is indeed the smallest. The Bible is not full of contradictions and falsehoods. Upon closer inspection all questions about its accuracy have clear answers. God inspired the Bible. Biblical truth always remains!

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed….

~ Matthew 17:20

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

References for this devotional.