Jeremiah-God Will Use Every Avenue To Help Us

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 36, 45

From Jeremiah's Journal

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, chosen by God to bring His message to the people. 

I have been God's messenger for twenty-three years, telling the people of Israel and Judah and other nations  what God has said. I started during the time of Josiah's reign. His son, a wicked king, is now on the throne.

For the most part, the people have not listened to any of God's commands to turn from their wicked ways. They still worship idols and go about doing whatever they please.

God, the great Almighty One still loves them and wants to give them every opportunity to learn and change their ways. So if my voice did not convince the people, maybe the words written on a scroll will.

He asked me to record all the messages I have delivered for the last twenty-three years. Of course He doesn't expect me to remember all of them exactly as He spoke them. He will help me remember.

I hired a scribe to help me. His name is Baruch. 

Baruch sat at a table and wrote the words I dictated. He did a great job, even making sure the words were correct by reading them back to me.

We worked long hours, rising early in the morning and working late in the evening. For months we kept up this pace.

The day we finished, Baruch said, "I'm so tired. My back hurts and my hands are sore. I don't think I could have written much more."

God heard his complaints and gave me a message for him: "Baruch, God says He will overthrow the land. Do you have the right to want great things for yourself? Stop asking for the easy life. This I will give you, though, since you have helped Jeremiah, you can escape all of what is to come and make a new home. I will let you escape with your life."

All God wants us to do is to worship Him. And we should. He has given us all we have and has loved us so very much.

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1. Jeremiah started as a prophet when ________ was king.
2. Jeremiah has been a prophet, giving the people God's messages for ______ years.
3. God ask Jeremiah to record _________
4. Jeremiah asked ___________ to help him.
5. Why did the scribe complain?
6. What did God promise the scribe?

God is Thankful for You

By Mary Vee

Photo Courtesy

Here in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend.

We talk about the pilgrims and the first thanksgiving, share with each other what we are thankful for, and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Most of us get the day off of work and have fun spending time with family.




Those who love God also spend the day thanking Him for what He has given them. Psalms of thanksgiving are read and sang. 

But there is a different side of the story.

Like a coin with two sides, there is another side to this one.

God is thankful for you.

It's true!

God made you.

God chose 
your eye color, 
your hair color, 
how tall you would be, 
the color of your skin, etc. 

He also designed your vocal chords and had you grow up in the place where you would learn the language you speak, figure out how to laugh just the way you do, sing (maybe off key to you and others--but not to Him).

God gave you someone to take care of you

God did not invite sin to your life. Unfortunately, sin is all around us. And because sin is here:

God weeps with you
dreams with you
hopes with you
understands 

He even sent His Son to pay the punishment for all your sins so you could see the way to heaven and one day live with Him there.

God loves you.

Did you know He sings songs for you?
He laughs with you
He tells stories to help you understand
He is patient with you
He listens to you
He guides you when you need to make a decision
He protects you
He stands up for you

Now that the list is started, what else does God do for you? 


Today is not only a day to be thankful for what you have but also to know that God is thankful for you and cares very much for you.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Hudson Taylor-What is A Real Christian?

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 5

Photo Courtesy

I had so much fun the day the Cambridge Seven landed here in Shanghai. As usual when in China, I put on the typical clothes that any Chinaman would wear, and had my head shaved with only a long braid hanging down my back.

I didn't have the same skin color or slanted eyes, but otherwise, I could be mistaken for a true Chinaman. 

I went to the shipyard, and spoke only Chinese to the men. Then kept a straight face when the new missionaries looked at me strangely. They didn't recognize me!

I laughed then said in perfect English, "Welcome Cambridge Seven!" I showed them to the place where they would sleep until they had their assignments. The poor men also had to find their land legs. (When a person sails on a ship their legs get used to moving up and down with the water. After they step out on land their mind still thinks they are on water so their body moves up and down and side to side like it did on the boat. It takes a day or so for this to stop. This is called finding your land legs).

We had a big welcoming party for the seven new missionaries to help them meet local Chinese Christians and other missionaries. The newspapers wrote big articles about the new visitors.

Men and women in Shanghai loved these men already! They were invited to speak at meetings in which large numbers of people came. 

One night, the port chaplain came to the meeting. The young missionaries told the audience about the gospel of God. How He sent His son to die for all the bad things people have done. How God loves everyone. How we cannot go to heaven by doing good deeds. As long as we have done anything bad, which we all have, we couldn't go to heaven. Only Jesus, God's perfect Son, could pay for our sins. Only by believing that Jesus loves us and died to pay the punishment for all the bad things we did could we got o heaven. The chaplain listened.

When the young missionaries finished speaking, the chaplain cried. The missionaries asked, "If you died in the night, would you go to heaven?" In his heart, he knew the answer to be no. He had worked so hard to do all the right things, to learn all the right things to say, but had never believed in Jesus as the one who saved him.

He finally understood what it meant to be a real Christian. One who believed in Jesus. News of the chaplain's decision to believe in Jesus traveled fast all over Shanghai. Men and women who once thought they were Christians began to ask questions. Were they really Christians? The seven new missionaries and other missionaries, help to answer questions.

What a great time we had helping people to understand what God wants. All we need to do is believe Jesus, God's Son, died to pay for our sins. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

So Very Blessed by God

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr.and Mrs. Howard Taylor

Racabites - Set the Bar for Achievement

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 35

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, chosen by God to bring His message to the people. 

God wanted to show the Israelites what He expected. 

He told me to invite the Recabite family for a meal. I was to take them to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.

I left right away and found them living in tents. I invited the whole family, there were quite a few of them, and all were willing to come.

I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the men of the Recabite family and said to them, "Drink some wine."

One of the men, he must have been the oldest, said to me, "We do not drink wine because our forefather Jonadab, son of Recab commanded us to never drink wine. Everyone from our family is to obey this command, and we have. He also told us to never build houses or plant seed or vineyards. We are to live in tents all our days. If we obey his words, he said we would live a long time in the land where we have become nomads."

"We have done everything our ancestor, Jonadab, son of Recab commanded us to do. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields, or crops. We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather, Jonadab commanded us. 

"When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon invaded Israel, all our family members gathered together and decided to move here to Jerusalem to escape the invading armies."

After I heard what leaders of the Racabites said, the Lord spoke to me. He told me to go to the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem and tell them the story of the Racabites. "Ask them if they could learn the lesson I have given and obey my words. The sons of Jonadab ordered his sons not to drink wine and they have kept his command. But I have spoken to you many times, yet you you don't obey me.

"God then said, 'I am going to bring disaster to Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem."

Not longer after I left the men of Judah, God spoke to me again and said to deliver this message to the Recabites. "You have obeyed the command of your forefather, Jonadab, and have followed all his instructions. You have done everything he ordered. Because you have down this--great is your reward. Jonadab, son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me.

Now, if only the people of Judah would do the same and obey God's commands.

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1. Jeremiah is a _____________
2. God told him to invite the ___________ family for a meal.
3. The family refused to have ______________
4. Why?
5. God told Jeremiah to tell ____________ this story? Why?
6. As a reward for obeying their ancestor, God told the _________ family ____________.

And So It Happened-Just As God Said

By Mary Vee
Daniel I, II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Jeremiah. I have been a prophet, chosen by God to bring His message to the people. I have spoke for Him for twenty-three years. I have warned the Israelites of the punishment coming. And, although there have been some changes, mostly by King Josiah, it wasn't enough. 

God sent many prophets to warn them, and had they fully changed their ways He would not have sent this punishment. But they would not listen.

The people continued to worship their idols and not change from their evil ways. Pharaoh Neco went out to fight Nebuchadnezzar from Bablylon. He was foolish. Babylon had a stronger army. 

Now Egypt lays in ruins. While Babylon plowed through our land to conquer Egypt, they of course conquered us, too. This was all in God's plans to punish Israel for not obeying His commands.

Babylon took Jehoiakim, King Josiah's son and put him in bronze shackles. He must have begged for their mercy and promised to do what they said because he was brought back to Judah and put back on the throne.

Babylon's army also went into the temple and stole precious items of great worth and put them in the temple of their idol. Jehoiakim couldn't ask Egypt to help because they had been utterly destroyed.

I have tried to work with King Jehoiakim but he is too busy doing what he is told by Babylon. The man simply will not honor the God of heaven. And so God said, 

"Because you have not listened to my words, I will call all the people of the north led by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon and they will attack this land. For seventy years you will serve Babylon."

I stood by and watched Babylon take some of the Israelites from the royal family and nobility. Young men without any physical defect, handsome, very intelligent in every kind of learning, and quick to understand. These boys were to serve in the palace of the king of Babylon.

And so it happened--just as God said. This is a sad day for Israel.

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1. What message would the people not listen to and obey?
2. Who gave the message?
3. What happened to Egypt?
4. What country couldn't help Israel?
5. What happened to King Jehoiakim (King Josiah's son)?
6. What did the Babylon army take?
7. Describe the first group of people to be taken as slaves to Babylon.

Hudson Taylor-Thousands Watched the Cambridge Seven Leave

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 4

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

We often need to remember that our parents love us and will do what they feel is necessary to take care of us.

C.T. Studd's mother had great hopes for her son to become a wealthy young man and to carry on the family name in a way that would make everyone proud.

She didn't expect her son to sell everything he had and sign up to become a missionary to China. 

She'd tried to her best to give him a comfortable journey. She even sent ahead wonderful items to make his new room cozy and comfortable. 

I felt sorry for her. She only wanted to take care of her son. After he left home, she wrote another letter to Jennie. "I'm sorry to bother you. I really must know what else could be sent for C.T. You see, he has barely taken any clothing. I don't know how he will survive. Please answer my letter as soon as you possibly can."

Mrs. Studd loved her son very much and realized she couldn't change his desire to go to China. After he and his friends went to meet their ship, she wrote Jennie again, asking for her to come to teach the family how to set up prayer meetings.

Mrs. Studd wasn't the only one who truly loved the Cambridge Seven. The night before their ship sailed, 3,5000 people gathered for a farewell meeting. There were no special seats for the wealthy. No reserved boxes. They all came and listened to the speaker, Stanley Smith, and were touched by the words:

"We do not go to that far field to teach this or that doctrine. We go to tell of a living, present, and reigning Christ who loves them. For years we have lived in England, enjoying what we had in Jesus when there were millions of people who had never heard of Him. We cannot tell you that a vision or dream sends us to China, but we can say the needs of those who don't know Jesus prevent us from staying in England...."

The huge gathering that night became headline news throughout every English speaking country in the world. Because of these seven men, many heard about the needs of millions who have not heard of God's love.

On February 5, the seven men set sail, traveling second class which has been described as good only for servants and dogs. Together, they planned to take the good news of God's love to the people of China.

Do you remember this whole story started with Dwight L Moody speaking at a conference of thousands of mocking students at Cambridge University? One brave man spoke. Seven brave men went.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

So Very Blessed by God

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr.and Mrs. Howard Taylor

Habakkuk's Praise After Hearing God's Answer

By Mary Vee
Habakkuk 3

From Habakkuk's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Habakkuk and I am a prophet of the living God of Israel.

Last week, I asked God the question we all want to ask: Why? God answered me. And now that I've heard the answer from the Almighty One who has made us and heaven and earth, how can I keep from praising Him?

Please join me in this praise:

God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you,
    and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees.
Do among us what you did among them.
    Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must,
    remember mercy.

3-7 God’s on his way again,
    retracing the old salvation route,
Coming up from the south through Teman,
    the Holy One from Mount Paran.
Skies are blazing with his splendor,
    his praises sounding through the earth,
His cloud-brightness like dawn, exploding, spreading,
    forked-lightning shooting from his hand—
    what power hidden in that fist!
Plague marches before him,
    pestilence at his heels!
He stops. He shakes Earth.
    He looks around. Nations tremble.
The age-old mountains fall to pieces;
    ancient hills collapse like a spent balloon.
The paths God takes are older
    than the oldest mountains and hills.
I saw everyone worried, in a panic:
    Old wilderness adversaries,
Cushan and Midian, were terrified,
    hoping he wouldn’t notice them.

8-16 God, is it River you’re mad at?
    Angry at old River?
Were you raging at Sea when you rode
    horse and chariot through to salvation?
You unfurled your bow
    and let loose a volley of arrows.
    You split Earth with rivers.
Mountains saw what was coming.
    They twisted in pain.
Flood Waters poured in.
    Ocean roared and reared huge waves.
Sun and Moon stopped in their tracks.
    Your flashing arrows stopped them,
    your lightning-strike spears impaled them.
Angry, you stomped through Earth.
    Furious, you crushed the godless nations.
You were out to save your people,
    to save your specially chosen people.
You beat the stuffing
    out of King Wicked,
Stripped him naked
    from head to toe,
Set his severed head on his own spear
    and blew away his army.
Scattered they were to the four winds—
    and ended up food for the sharks!
You galloped through the Sea on your horses,
    racing on the crest of the waves.
When I heard it, my stomach did flips.
    I stammered and stuttered.
My bones turned to water.
    I staggered and stumbled.
I sit back and wait for Doomsday
    to descend on our attackers.

17-19 Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
    and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
    and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
    and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
    I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
    I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
    I feel like I’m king of the mountain!

(from The Message)

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1.Why did Habakkuk praise God?

Habakkuk Asks God the Question We All Want To Know

By Mary Vee
Habakkuk

From Habakkuk's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Habakkuk and I am a prophet of the living God of Israel.

My heart broke when I heard the news..

I knew the people of Israel would be punished. God said so. What He says, comes true.

I had questions that burned in my heart. 

*I wanted to know why God would use the evil nation of Babylon to bring the punishment against His own people.

*Why do the wicked get rich, usually by taking from others.

*Why does evil exist at all?

Maybe I shouldn't ask. I should just know that whatever God chooses to do is right. And, I do believe this to be true. 

Still in my heart, I really wanted to know. I didn't understand.

I don't want to disrespect. Is it wrong to ask God questions if we do it to learn, and understand more about Him?

Maybe this question burns in my heart because God wants me to ask. Surely the God who created us and loves us wants us to ask our questions, respectfully, of course.

So I went to God, and asked my questions. 

And do you know what?

He answered me. 

God said evil, no matter where it is found, always has the seeds of its own distraction, like a plant has seeds to make more of the same kind of plant. He said the nation of Judah's sins have brought on the punishment they would receive. He also said, it didn't matter who delivered his punishment, only that it would happen. The one delivering the punishment may be good or evil.

It the nation delivering the punishment is evil, God said, they, too, will face their own destruction.

Only the good, the truly righteous have life. 

Sin always brings death.

The answers made sense to me. I hope they make sense to you, too.

Remember: God wants you to ask questions (they must be done with respect, though)
Also, remember, God is fair. Whoever sins will be punished.

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1. Habakkuk was a ______________
2. What broke Habakkuk's heart?
3. What questions did Habakkuk have?
4. Are we allowed to ask God questions?
5. If yes, how? If no, why not?
6. What did God say to Habakkuk?
7. What did Habakkuk think about God's message?

Hudson Taylor-Poor C.T. Studd

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 3

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

C.T. Studd was one of the 'Cambridge Seven'. Young men who willingly gave up any future fame, a life of ease, and wealth, all to serve Jesus in China.

Studd may have known he should go to China from the first second the idea came into him mind, but his family.... Well, that was a different story.

Studd grew up in a huge house. His family had lots of money and gave him the finest clothes, took him to all the big events, cooked the best foods, and made sure their son had all the best.

His mother planned for Studd to marry a girl from a wealthy family, settle down, and start his own family. 

When she received word from her son that he planned to go to China, she didn't think this was the best idea. He could get sick. Who knows what poverty he might have to see? Why he might get dirty or not have what he needs. No. This wouldn't do at all. 

She also couldn't understand why C.T. sold all the things he had once loved and gave the money to China Inland Mission. Unheard of!

As part of C.T.'s preparation for China, he and the other six men training to go as missionaries had to spend time in the poorest parts of England. He saw what people really didn't have. He and his friends were saddened about the runned down buildings, little food, dirty faces. He never knew about them.

He wrote a letter to his mother, telling her he felt ashamed for the way he lived. "I have so many suits and all kinds of clothes, while many people right here in England are starving and are freezing in the cold. I want everything sold. Everything.

His mother didn't want to follow the instructions, but did anyway. She thought, "At least the money would all go to Hudson Taylor." But C.T. said to give the money to the mission for all the missionaries to use.

His mother wrote a letter to the mission. "I am thankful my son has had advice from an older man. At least Hudson Taylor is sure to keep my son dressed appropriately. The way he is acting, who knows what rags he might go about in when he goes to China. This would be terrible."

HIs mother wrote a second letter. This time to Hudson's wife, Jennie. "Dear Jeannie, Please be sure to watch C.T. Talk to him and let him know the importance of taking with him everything that is necessary to be comfortable in China. He seems to want to take very few things, hardly enough to last. And what will he do for cleanliness in the hot weather? He is young and needs proper advice."

Poor C.T. His mother even sent a trunk to China before C.T. left filled with all the items to properly prepare a room for him. Things like curtains, silverware, napkins, and all sorts of other items she felt were necessary. 

Yes, Poor C.T. He loved his mother, but he needed to be a true missionary to China. One who does not have more than the love of God. The rest he needs to depend on God to supply.

Come back next time to see what happens with our Cambridge Seven. 

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

So Very Blessed by God

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr.and Mrs. Howard Taylor

Pharaoh Neco Gets Squashed

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 46

From Jeremiah's Journal

My name is Jeremiah and I am a prophet. God told me what would happen. He asked me to warn Pharaoh Neco. I did what God said, but Neco wouldn't listen. 

Pharaoh Neco wanted to conquer the world. Plain and simple. He wanted to rule over everyone.

He gathered his horses and his army with their helmets in place and spears polished. Each one decked out in the best armor. 

Just looking at Neco's soldiers frightened other armies. 

He marched his men through Israel and north to Carchemish, a city on the Euphrates River. He planned to attack the mighty Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar 's army.

Neco thought Nebuchadnezzar's fast soldiers would not be able to outrun his army. 

Pharaoh Neco's army rose from the Nile like rivers of surging waters. He shouted, "I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy cities and their people. CHARGE!

But the Lord said, "Neco is wrong."

His army should prepare for the coming disaster. Neco soldiers will fall to the sword at the battle and cry to their friends, 'We need to get out of here. Return to our own people and homes, away from Nebuchadnezzar's powerful army."

Neco's men ran as fast as they could back to Egypt, but Nebuchadnezzar's army chased them all the way to their homes and conquered the Egyptian city, Memphis, destroying everything.

All of Egypt ran from their homes as their enemy from Babylon pushed into their cities and land, advancing in force. Nebuchadnezzar's army used axes with the power of men who cut down trees. His army was like locust attacking the fields of cities in Egypt.

Egypt was put to shame because they worshiped Amon, god of Thebes and other gods.

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon was allowed to conquer Egypt.

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1. Jeremiah was told to give a message to _________
2. Who wouldn't listen to Jeremiah?
3. What did the Pharaoh want to do?
4. Where did he go?
5. What did Nebuchadnezzar live?
6. What did he do?
7. Who won?
8. Why?

Jeremiah: King Eliakim Wouldn't Listen to God

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 26

From the Journals of Jeremiah

Photo Courtesy

King Eliakim was Josiah's second son. The first son had been captured by Egypt's pharaoh, this made Eliakim the new king. 

King Eliakim's officials stood at the temple yelling at the priests.

The priests yelled at the officials. 

What were they yelling about? Me. 

I had spoken God's message in the temple to all the people, like He told me to. It was a warning to the people to say they were sorry for the bad things they've done. The priests didn't like hearing what I said because they wanted to be in control, but the officials saw nothing wrong with it.

A group of elders walked up the steps and stood between the officials and the priests.  The leader of the elders turned to face the crowds and said, "Micah prophesied in the days of King Hezekiah. He told all the people of Judah this message from God: your land will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill will become overgrown with thickets. Did Hezekiah or anyone else in Judah put that prophet to death? No. Instead Hezekiah feared the Lord and did what God said. Did God still carry out the punishment? No, He didn't. He forgave our people.

"If we don't listen to Jeremiah we will bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!"

The people listened to the elders and let me go.

But when Uriah, a prophet of God gave the same message from God, saying the land would be destroyed and the people punished, the people reported it to King Eliakim. 

Eliakim and his officials became angry and searched for Uriah to kill him. 

Someone who loved God and his prophets warned Uriah about the soldiers who were coming to kill him. He became afraid and ran to Egypt to hide.

When the soldiers couldn't find Uriah, King Eliakim sent them to Egypt to search for him. 

Egypt was not a good place to hide. Pharaoh Neco liked having King Eliakim on the throne in Judah since Eliakim obeyed Neco. The pharaoh's army heard that Uriah hid in Egypt. They helped Eliakim look for Uriah. They sent him home with the soldiers. 

They dragged Uriah into the king's chambers. Eliakim ordered a soldier to kill Uriah because he gave a message from God. Words Eliakim didn't believe would come true. 

The soldier did as Eliakim said. Uriah didn't even get a good burial. They thew his body in a large hole with other people the king had killed. 

If Eliakim doesn't change his ways, Judah will be destroyed. God is sending prophets like Uriah and me to give them a chance. Sadly, I don't think they are listening.

*******************************************
1. Why were the officials and the priests yelling at each other?
2. What did the elders do?
3. Why did the elders say Jeremiah should not die?
4. Who is Uriah?
5. What did Uriah do?
6. What made King Eliakim angry?
7. Who did the soldiers look for in Egypt?
8. What happened to Uriah? Why?

Hudson Taylor-God Called the Major-General's Son

By Mary Vee

Year: 1884 

Hudson Taylor: age 52

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
The Cambridge Seven Part 2

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

Major-General Hoste had served with the Royal Artillery. He retired to his home in Brighton. As a godly man, he hoped--with all his heart that all of his children would one day love God as he had.

Over the years all but one of his children, Dixon, chose to love God. 

The major learned one day, that Dwight L. Moody was coming to speak in his home town. He and all of his family, except Dixon, were excited to go.

Dixon's older brother, William, had come home during a school break. William attended Cambridge and had heard Mr. Moody speak at a conference. He went to his brother's bedroom and, like any good big brother, convinced Dixon with a few playful jabs to come along.

Dixon may have gone with the family, but he didn't want to listen. He stood in the back and tried not to pay attention. His family went several nights, praying that Dixon would understand how much God loved him. 

One night, while standing in the back of the Brighten hall, Dixon heard the words in Mr. Moody's message. His heart felt heavy and he understood that all the bad things he did kept him from going to heaven. He bowed his knee and prayed. Giving his life to Jesus. And thankful for the gift from Jesus. The gift to go to heaven. 

"I knew right then," Dixon said, "I wanted to be a part of this work that Moody talked about. I wanted to be a missionary to China and tell them about the God who loves them."

Dixon wrote me right away. He told me about the meeting and his decision to accept God's gift of love. He also said he wanted to go to China and help. I offered to meet with him. His love for God showed on his face. I told him, "This is wonderful news that you are telling me. My advice, though, is to wait. Study God's word and know Him better. When you have done this, come back to see me."

Dixon had changed all right. He gave up smoking and spent time at the mission office helping. One day he went to Benjamin Broomhall's house. Benjamin was in charge of the mission office in England. While at his house, Dixon saw Benjamin's daughter, Gertrude playing the piano. "I'm going to marry her one day," he said to himself."

That September, Gertrude left with seventy other missionaries for China. 

Dixon thought about her every day she was gone. He studied God's word and followed the training program. He couldn't wait to be a missionary in China, not just to be with Gertrude, but much more--he wanted to serve God.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

So Very Blessed by God

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr.and Mrs. Howard Taylor