 There are many gorgeous varieties of water lilies in the world. Some are the
purest white. |
 These
lilies open only on sunny days. If it is rainy, the water could
fill the flower and make it sink, so it has an automatic shutting trick
built in. Isn't God wise in His designing of these flowers? |
One can find all the colors of the rainbow in the different water
lilies. |
| Many tropical kinds are perfumed with the most delicious fragrances. |
 Pond lilies have a smooth waxy leaf on top and slimy
texture underneath. The waxy top keeps water rolling off instead of
accumulating and making it sink. This water repellant trick is another
automatic floating device designed to keep the leaves where they can do
their work of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process of turning light
into energy for the plant. |
 The large round leaves push up through the murky waters
rolled up in a tight roll. Once they reach the surface, the lily leaves
unfurl, pushing other plants aside.
|
 Way below the surface of the stinky murky water is the root
system. The stems are like hollow straws. Even though the pond has smelly
rotting green material coloring the water, the lily opens a pure white as
though it lived where everything was clean.
|
 If you live where there is fighting, cursing, and swearing,
you can still be like the lily. Jesus lived in the most wicked city called
Nazareth. We can draw from heaven what we need to keep us from using bad
language just like Jesus did. Jesus was like the lily. Let us look at His
life and how he was so much like the water lily that there were lilies in
the tabernacle of Solomon as a symbol of Him. |
 This amazing water lily is the world's largest. It has many
leaves that are as wide as a school buss. A single pad could hold a
child sitting. It has grows 6-8 feet across. One plant may have 6-8
leaves. This really takes a lot of space on the pond. |
| These giant pads are the largest simple leaf in the world.
Any other creature venturing onto their leaf are chased off. |
| The stem transports items from the leaves down through
murky stinky water to the roots. The roots send up items needed by leaf
and flower. God has created the needed pump system to transport these
things up and down like an elevator all day long. His master mind
has all the power to create anything He needs. He can do anything. He laid
that power aside for awhile and came to our planet earth to show us how
much He and God and the Holy Spirit love us. |
 He came to live in the poor part of the worst city
Nazareth but He never used the swear words he heard. He did not say mean
things to His mother. He did all his chores willingly and sang while He
did them. His brothers made fun of Him and he even did their chores when
they refused. He had fun ideas and children liked to be with Him. Like the
white lily, He did not pick up bad habits from others around Him. His
strength came from prayer. |
 Song:
Revelation 5:13 The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power,
wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!
|
 People
were surprised and doubted that the King of heaven would be born in a
barn, but He was. His mother Mary gave birth while she was in Bethlehem
paying her taxes. |
 Jesus
was a pleasant child to have around. He was always happy to do his chores
and sang while He worked. His mother Mary taught Scripture songs to Him.
He learned Bible prophecies from her too.
Animals that were suffering were helped by little Jesus. Even the animals were glad to have Him around. |
 Jesus
never made fun of others. No matter how strange, crippled, smelly, or
ugly, Jesus helped them to know they were special, gifted, and
talented. |
 Jesus
shared His food with the hungry. He always looked for people He could make
happy. |
 As
a child, Jesus saw the tabernacle services for the first time at age 12.
His mother had taught Him about them. He watched the priest offer the lamb
and He began to see what His future would be. He knew the lamb was a
symbol of Himself. He knew He was going to die. He thought a lot about His
mission to bring salvation to people. |
 Why
do you think the lamb was chosen as a symbol of Jesus? I have never had a
lamb, but I would never be afraid of one. They are not violent. I haven't
met anyone that is afraid of a lamb. Jesus does not want you to be afraid
of Him. He loves you. |
| Jesus had always been kind. Children just loved to be near Him and listen to His stories. Some picked flowers and gave them to Him. He sometimes had a little child sitting on His lap. He was so gentle, the children were not afraid of Him. |
 Jesus
told many stories with hidden meanings. You could go home and think about
His stories for a long time. I like the one about the man that was beat
up. God sent some church leaders along the road to help out but when they
saw the danger, they didn't help.
Next came a Samaritan man whom Jews hated. He did all that he could to help and paid for his care at the inn since he had been stripped of all his money. Jesus is like the kind Samaritan who helps sinners who have been beaten up by Satan and the people who work on his team. |
| In Solomon's temple, water
lilies were engraved on the edges
of the laver which held water to wash the feet and hands of Priests. The
lily is a symbol of purity. |
 Jesus taught so many lessons from nature. He spoke of the
pretty lilies in the lake and on the hillside. He mentioned that they had
been made with great care yet people were even more valuable and get more
of His attention. He gave people hope. |
 He encourages us not to worry about anything for He will
take care of us. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin...Wherefore, if God so clothe the
grass of the field...shall He not much more clothe you?" Mathew
6:28-30 When He said this He looked at lilies in the field and in the
water. |
| Jesus always told stories to teach a lesson. He told of a
poor man who had no hospital to go to. He had sores all over his body. He
lived at the gate of a rich man. Every day he was in misery yet he was
very patient. The rich man could have helped him by providing more than
just left over crumbs. He had the crazy idea that just walking past the
poor man would bring him hope. So he paraded past. Jesus showed that being
rich is not a sign of God's favor. Helping others is what brings joy and
rewards from heaven. |
| The religious leaders became so angry against Jesus that they tried to push Him over a cliff. His work was not done yet so He disappeared. |
 Satan
made evil men pound nails into Jesus hands, and shove a crown of sharp
thorns on His head. He had them jerk hair from the beard of Jesus. Jesus
continued to love even those hurting him. Satan had extra teams of evil
angels stationed about Jesus trying to make Him give up.
I am so thankful He loved us so much that even though He could have called 10,000 angels to deliver Him, He could have stayed. He could have called to planet Mercury or Jupiter that He had created and asked it to whirl over and knock earth out from under Him. He had power at His fingertips but His love for us was stronger. |
 Like the Water Lily whose roots are deep and the flower is
so pure, Jesus drew His strength from the night of prayer in the garden.
Amazingly, Jesus was concentrating so much on us that He never gave up. That is real love. He generously asked God to forgive all those hurting Him. He was still listening for anyone around Him to believe. He heard the faint call of a robber on one side of him asking for forgiveness. He gave Him hope. Our sins broke His heart. He died of a broken heart. |
| There was a big difference made between the way Satan acts
and God acts. At the cross it was really made plain. Satan showed his hate
and Jesus and God showed unconditional love. The door to heaven was opened
to us. All we must do is confess our sins and believe.
We should do this every day. The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |
 Kyle at 18 months lived in a nice home with a big swimming
pool. He loved water but did not yet know how to swim. |
 Kyle's
mom was pregnant with a little sister. There was
trouble and little sister almost died inside of Kyle's mama. She was
supposed to stay quiet in bed. Many people came to help out in the home
but the three boys were always needing something.
One day Kyle's brothers were swimming and Kyle wandered outside unnoticed. |
| Suddenly while fixing a drink of water in the kitchen,
Kyle's mom heard a scream of danger by the older brothers ages 4 and 6.
"Kyle's drowning, HELP!"
|
 Little Kyle was pulled from the bottom of the pool and
wrapped in a towel. He must have held his breath for he was not even
coughing. Cuddled soft against mama, he grinned. Just a little longer and
Kyle could have died if not pulled out where he could breathe. |
| There was so much joy in our home that Kyle was saved that we had a party. |
Only Jesus can rescue us from drowning in our sins. There
is so much joy in heaven when anyone allows Jesus to rescue him or her
from sin. Won't you give Jesus your heart today? Just tell Him you need to be rescued from all your bad habits, bad temper, and other temptations. Tell Him you want be like Him. (Note the shadow of the cross in this picture)
|
 Hold
up your hand for help like Kyle did when he was drowning. The dear Father
in heaven loves to run to help just like Kyle's mama. He does not want you
to drown in sin. |
| Three steps to being at peace with God:
1. Admit to God that you are a sinner, ask forgiveness and He will help you get rid of sin. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 2. Invite God into your life. You do not have to clear out the sin first, just invite Him in and He only can rescue you from drowning in sin. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." Rev. 3:20 3. Accept Heaven's Gift "It is by grace that you are saved, through faith,-- and this is not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God." Ephesians 2:8 |
| Don't
put off answering God. In Him is the answer and strength for all your
problems. He has unconditional love for you. Why not pause right now and
pray this prayer:
Dear Father, I am sorry for my life of sin. I need You. I give my heart to you. Take me as completely Yours. I lay all my ideas and plans at Your feet. Use me today in Your work and service. Stay with me, and may all my words and plans be done in Your strength. Save me from drowning in sin. Thank You for dying for me. I want to be ready to welcome You when You return. AMEN |
Now, put your thinking cap on and answer the quiz .
1. Why was the lamb chosen as a symbol of Jesus? 2. How does the water lily represent the life of Jesus? 3. Can a drowning person save themselves? 4. Can we save ourselves from sin? 5. What did Jesus die of? 6. Did Jesus get angry and yell at the people who pulled His hair, spit on Him, and tormented Him? What did He say? 7. Where would you go to find a the giant leaf as wide as a school bus? How wide is it? 8.Are water lilies only white? 9. How can the food from the lily roots under the pond get up a stem as long as 5 to 9 feet? 10. Have you given your heart to Jesus yet? |
| Scroll through these texts to the picture below. |
| For more Bible texts:
Hebrews 2:14-17 Jesus took man's nature. He faced man's temptations and was victorious. Romans 5:17-19 Jesus redeemed Adam's failure. Romans 3:24,25 Through Jesus salvation is ours as a gift. Prophecies of the Messiah: Micah 5:2 Birthplace--Bethlehem (Lk 2:1-7) Isaiah 7:14 Virgin Birth (Matt. 1:23) Genesis 49:8-10 Jesus lineage through Judah (Lk. 1:30-32) Numbers 24:17 A star shall arise out of Judah. (Matt. 2:1,2) Isa. 61:1-3 The ministry of the Messiah predicted in advance. (Lk 4:16-21) Psalms 55:12,13 Betrayed by a friend. (Matt. 26:47-50) Zech. 11:12,13 Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, money used to buy a Potter's field. (Matt 27:3-9) Isa. 53:4-7 Led as a lamb to the slaughter (Jn. 1:29; Acts 8:32-35) Psalms 22:16 Jesus' hands and feet pierced. (Lk. 23:33; 24:39) Psalms 22:18 Garments parted, soldiers cast dice for His cloak. (Matt. 27:35) Psalm 22:1 Jesus' last words, "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?" Matt. 27:46 Psalms 34:20 Not a bone broken. (Jn. 19:36) Psalms 16:10 Resurrected from the dead (Matt. 28:2-7) John 17:5,24 Jesus existed with the Father before the foundation of this world. John 8:58 Jesus declared He was the self-existant one--the "I AM," that existed before Abraham. Luke 5:20-24 Jesus forgave sins, only God can do that. Heb. 1:5-9 The Father addresses the Son as God. Isa. 9:6 Jesus is everlasting and eternal. Mica 5:2 Christ's goings forth have been from everlasting. I Timothy 6:15,16 Jesus has immortality. Rev. 1:18 Jesus is the first and the last with keys to the grave. Phil. 2:5-12 Jesus voluntarily gave up His divine privilege to become our Savior. Col. 1:15 Jesus the firstborn of this race, uses the Greek word prototokos meaning preeminent one. This means the one who has all the privileges and rights of the first born in a family. The first born always had the spiritual leadership of the family. Their job was to make sure all were cared for and fed. They made sure each were kept in the way of God. The job of first born is a big job. Jesus takes that job and prays for us. |
 In
our next lesson, we will look at some amazing pet stories of love and
devotion. If you like dog stories of faithfulness and stories of horses
and cats etc, you will not want to skip this lesson. We can see a special
kind of love, an unconditional love like God has. See lesson FOUR next.
You can just click LESSON FOUR and you can go there. |
The poor mother could not bear to loose her
dear Kyle. She clawed her way with unusual strength. She was in the pool
in a flash with all her clothes on.