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DEER |
There are many different kinds of deer. The most visible
characteristic of the deer family is that there are branched antlers made
of a bony material. Usually only the males have the antlers.
The shy white tailed deer are found from Canada to Brazil. They live in wooded areas. It has white under its tail. When it runs, the tail is up and it is like a white flag. |
 The
very young white tailed deer has spots and colors for hiding well. This
one is easy to see. Yet if it holds real still and is in tall grass under
a tree, it is harder to find. |
 It
is amazing that the fawn does not attract predators. They can come within
a few feet and still can not find these quiet little babies. This one was one
day old. Another one we saw was three days. He has a sound like a baby
goat. He jumped up and ran so hard. |
 The
elk or wapiti is the second largest living deer. The spread of these
antlers reaches 4 feet. |
| The largest one in the deer family is the moose. |
 The
Bible talks about deer being thirsty. God put streams in the mountains so
they could drink. Psalm 104:10-11. "He sends the springs into the
valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the
field..." |
 Rivers
and streams provide life every where they go. Things live so well along
the edge for they always have water. God's people are very happy because
they are always near the Living Water. God is that living water. Jesus
said whoever would take a drink of this water would never thirst. They
would be like a well full of water. It would just keep springing up. There
would always be life because they always have the Living Water. It does
not just flow beside them, it is inside their hearts and minds. |
 People
have a longing like being thirsty. All have a desire to have
happiness. Nothing can bring this happiness except having LIVING WATER
from heaven. God asks us to keep the Sabbath as our appointment with Him.
On this day He POURS out the LIVING WATER. That means, He makes a
wonderful joy come into your heart from keeping the Sabbath. Some do not
know how to keep the Sabbath. Jesus is the example. What did He do on the
Sabbath? He went to church and also healed people on Sabbath. He spent
time in nature.
SONG "If you call the Sabbath a delight...If you honor it..., not seeking your own pleasure or talking idly, then you shall take delight in the Lord. Isaiah 58:13-14 |
 The
Sabbath is a good day to spend more time reading the Bible. There are so
many wonderful stories in the Bible. |
 Studying
the book of nature is another way to learn more about God on the Sabbath
day. |
  Hiking
together as a family will bring many pleasant memories and discoveries in
nature. |
  As
we pick the blossoms and smell the perfume, we realize God has a great
love and care for us. |
 Jesus
spent a lot of time looking for people who needed help on Sabbath.
My grandpa loved going to Mexico and helping give Bible studies. This is
the home of one man he helped. There is a great joy that comes into your
heart when you help others. I remember how excited grandpa was when he
showed us pictures and told stories of work in Mexico in raising up a
church. |
  Since
Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, we are to follow His example and visit
the sick. Those trained in medical work can do nurse duties and doctor
work to help. Things that can wait till another day do not need to be done
on Sabbath. |
 Anything
that helps the sick be more comfortable should be done. This shows the
kindness of God. |
 Taking
flowers to the sick and those who can't get out to see flowers, is a great
encouragement to them. This Jesus likes us to do. |
It is good to make the Sabbath very special. Practice the presence of Jesus. Set a place for Him at the table and invite Him to sit by you. Remember He is there, you just cannot see Him. He will bring you great joy. If you call the Sabbath a delight...If you honor it..., not seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord. Isaiah 58:13-14 |
| Sabbath begins the evening before Saturday. The Bible account in Genesis tells us when it starts. It says evening and morning were the seventh day. So when the sun sets in the evening till it sets on Saturday evening is the sacred hours of the Sabbath. In it you shall not do any work. There is not to be any buying or selling . |
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Sabbath keeping Isa. 56:2 God grants a special blessing to those who keep the Sabbath. Deut. 28:1,2 & 15 God offers blessing to those who are obedient to His commandments. Exodus 20:8-11 The Sabbath is a sanctified day set apart from all the rest. Lev. 23:3 The Sabbath is called a "holy convocation" or gathering of God's people. It is a special designated day of worship. Luke 4:16 Jesus worshiped each Sabbath, as did Paul. (Mark 1:32) Exodus 20:8-10 The Sabbath is not a day for secular work. Isaiah 58:13,14. The Sabbath is a day to delight our self in the Lord. It is not a day for our own personal pleasure. Such things as sports, secular games, boating, swinging, swimming, bicycling, or entertainment; all these are doing our own pleasure. These are not in harmony with keeping the Sabbath Holy. Nehemiah 13:15-22 The Sabbath may be defiled by buying, selling, and doing worldly things. Mathew 12:11-13 Jesus did good on the Sabbath. He illustrated the joy of the Sabbath. Mark 2:28-30 Jesus provided for the physical needs of food for his disciples on the Sabbath. Exodus 16:28-30 When some of the Israelites worked by picking up manna and cooking it up for food on Sabbath, there was not any manna out there to pick up on Sabbath. They had to go hungry. Extra was provided on Friday and they were told to gather extra only on Friday and prepare it ready before Sabbath. Mathew 11:28-30 God invites us to come and find rest in Jesus. Every Sabbath is a special appointment time to find this closeness with our LORD. |