What's Up For 2015?

By Mary Vee

Happy New Year!!

Celebrating the start of a seventh year of this blog.

Sharing Bible stories on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 

Missionary stories on Mondays

Take a walk throughout the Bible on Wednesday and Saturday. These stories are told in the first person to help take you back in time to the event. My research, using commentaries, Bible maps, and etc. help me craft the events in the Bible so you can

See the sites

Smell the scents

Taste the food

Touch the objects

Hear the sounds
Feel the person's joys and sorrows

These stories are great for family Bible reading time, homeschoolers, Christian schools, kids, grandparents, moms and dad

The purpose of this blog is:

to help you experience these very real events 

to help you understand in maybe a small measure why God included each important event in His word.

to help you want to learn more and grow closer to God

For this reason you will not see advertisement on this page. 

This blog is all about God, His word, and how He is importance in our lives.

In six years we have:

Walked from creation to Daniel's life events 
Walked with Gladys Aylward through her missionary journey in China
Walked with J. Hudson Taylor's journey in China
Played Bible games (see tab at the top to find the games)
Discussed ways to keep safe (see tab at the top)



This year we will:

Continue Daniel's story
Start Amy Carmichael's journey in India.

May God bless you and your family in this new year. 

I look forward to your visits.

If you know someone who would like to read these stories, feel free to send them the link. I welcome all readers.

Hudson Taylor-So Much More

By Mary Vee

Photo Courtesy While this is not
a photo of Hudson Taylor,
it represents the heart of this
strong missionary who truly was
a man of prayer

For three years, this site has included some of the amazing events in J. Hudson Taylor's life. From before his birth to his last breath, this man was bathed in prayer by family, friends, and co workers, he was dedicated to God, and became a servant of God fully dedicated to telling the people of China that there is a God who truly loves them.

There are many more stories. 

Amazing miracles. 

Hearts that were changed and are now in heaven. 

On-going missions in China continue the work of a man called to tell a nation the truth about a loving God.

At the time of Hudson's last breath, over eight hundred missionaries joined more than two thousand native pastors, evangelists in sharing God's love at over a thousand China Inland Mission stations and out stations. 

In Taylor's life, seven and a half million dollars had been given to support missions in inland China. 

As a result, thirty thousand Chinese men, women, and children became Christians through this ministry.

God called Hudson Taylor, a man of determination to get a job done, and sent him to China.

Not everyone is called to go to China. 

God calls all of us to do work. He may have us stay in our hometown and be a witness in the neighborhood our whole lives or go somewhere else.

As this new year starts, consider talking with God. Ask Him what work He wants you to do. The job won't be easy, but with faith, the work can be done.

The result-God's smile and His words said to you-well done, good and faithful servant of mine.


Starting next week, January 5, 2015, we will journey with Amy Carmichael to India.

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

Nebuchadnezzar's Frightening Dream

By Mary Vee
Daniel 2

From Nebuchadnezzar's Journal

Photo Courtesy-King Nebuchadnezzar

I woke in the middle of the night twice. Sweat poured down my face and my pillow was wet. My hands shook. That miserable dream haunted me like a monster and I didn't understand what it meant.

As king of all Babylon I shouldn't be plagued with such misery. I decided to call an end to my suffering by asking the wise men to interpret the dream. If I at least know the meaning, maybe I can do something about the problem.

I sat up in bed. "Guard, gather the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers and have them meet me in my royal chambers."

"Yes, sire."

I dressed in my robes and splashed water on my face to calm my nerves. The guards escorted me to the royal chambers where my advisors stood waiting for me. The concern on their faces showed they must have been told of my agitation. Well, good. They should be concerned.

I proceeded to my chair and plopped down, ready to solve the problem and get some decent rest. "You have been called here because I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means."

The lead astrologer bowed deeper. "O king, live forever! Tell us, your servants, the dream, and we will tell you what it means."

Oh no. This would not happen. These men are here because they know what others do not know. If they are truly wise men, they should be able to tell me the dream. "If you do not tell me what my dream was and the meaning of it I will know you are not real wise men and will cut you and your houses into pieces. But if you tell me the dream and explain it to me, you will receive wonderful gifts, rewards, and great honor from me. So, tell me the dream and the meaning."

They looked at each other, shrugging and shaking their heads. The lead wise man said, "Tell us, your servants the dream, and we will tell you the meaning."

Hah, I knew it. They don't know what my dream is. They are fools. All fools. "I am certain that you're trying to gain time, because you realize I've made up my mind. And so you are right. I will not give in. If you do not tell me the dream, there is just one penalty for you. All these years you have worked together to mislead me with your wicked ideas, hoping the situation would change. Now you can prove to me your worth by simply telling me the dream."

The wise men wiped sweat from their foreheads. "Sire, there is not a man on earth who can do what you asks. And no king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer. This is too difficult. No one can tell you your dream except the gods, and they do not live among men."

"Is that so?" The fire of anger burned in me. I turned to my guards. "Kill all the wise men of Babylon!"

*******************************************************************************************************
1. What bothered King Nebuchadnezzar?
2. Who did he call for a meeting?
3. What did he ask these men to do?
4. What did they say?
5. Why did King Nebuchadnezzar refuse to tell them what they wanted to know?
6. What did the king order and why?

Happy Birthday, Jesus

By Mary Vee

Let's sing happy birthday to Jesus. 

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Jesus,

Happy birthday to you.

And now, the story behind Jesus' birth:

From Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2

The Birth of Jesus

Photo Courtesy

At that time, the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) Every man, woman and child returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now very pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son, wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there were no available hotel rooms for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

Photo courtesy

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by many other angels—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

The Wise Men from the East

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of King Herod. Wise men from eastern lands travelled to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

Photo Courtesy

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

The wise men followed the directions to the south. The star they had seen while in the east reappeared, filling the wise men with joy. It went ahead of them, guiding them to Bethlehem and stopping over the place where the child was living. They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and bowed to worship him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave the new king gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

AND

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR SENDING US YOUR SON

Hudson Taylor-Well Done Good and Faithful Servant of Mine

By Mary Vee

Year: 1902-1905 

Hudson Taylor: age 70-73

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

In the last years, I have had many illnesses. I'm now seventy years old and truly want to carry on with the work God has given me.

Sometimes I just feet so tired. Like Elijah who laid down in the wilderness too exhausted to eat or drink. God posted an angel right by his side, waking him--giving him food and drink, letting him sleep then waking him again to give him food and drink again. God nursed Elijah back to health in the last days of his ministry like he has for me.

My wife, Jennie and I took a trip to Switzerland and settled in a little village called Chevalleyres on the northern edge of Lake Geneva. We took relaxing day trips by rail and steamer to see the beautiful countryside. 

I took along a camera and photographed flowers and stars, studying the tiny details God gave them. 

My eyes have grown tired and won't let me read much, but God has helped me read through His Word for the fortieth time in forty years. Such precious words.

In July of 1903, my sweet Jennie became extremely ill. She whispered to me, "No pain. No pain." I knew she didn't hurt. That helped--a little. But then she said, "Ask Him to take me quickly."

I didn't want to. But, then my sweet Jennie needed to be with Jesus instead of me. I prayed, "Dear Father, free her waiting spirit." Five minutes later she left me and went into the arms of Jesus.

1905 came. In the spring time, my heart ached to go to China and see the wonderful people there. This was my eleventh trip. I visited places that once never had missionaries and now had many workers telling the people of China that God loves them.

On June 3, the mission held a wonderful reception for me. I had so much fun speaking with the missionaries, but in truth, I was also exhausted. I didn't feel well either. When the party ended, I went upstairs to rest.

The rest of these words are written now by me, Howard. I am Hudson's son and a doctor. The nurse tucked my father into bed, making sure he was warm and comfortable. She sat on the chair next to his bed and talked with him about the pictures in the Missionary Review magazine, something Dad had been looking at. 

Dad took a sudden breath and lapsed into unconsciousness. She shouted for me to come. I ran to his room in time to see my father breathe his last breath and go into the arms of his heavenly Master Whom he had faithfully served for more than fifty years.

When I think of all the people my dad has shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with, I know in my heart God is saying...well done good and faithful servant of mine.

J. Hudson Taylor and Howard 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

Daniel-The Clue God had a Big Job For Us

By Mary Vee
Daniel 1

From Young Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

Three years have come and gone since the Babylonian officials took many boys from our Judean homes as prisoners. 

I still miss my house and family, but am getting use to living in this Babylonian city. I can understand their language now and am able to speak it rather well.

My friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and I have been honored by God. The four of us have learned the lessons taught by the Babylonian guards quicker than any of the other boys. 

God helped us understand all kinds of literature and higher learning in Babylonian education.

God also gave me a gift to understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Each time someone came to me with a dream they didn't understand, I prayed and asked God for the meaning. Once God gave me the answer, the dream seemed clear to not only me, but also the person who had the dream.

The day we all graduated, the chief official took the boys in my class to appear before king Nebuchadnezzar. We stood in a line. The official placed my friends and I at the front. I think he did it to show off how well he had taught us, when in fact, we were the ones God gave the greatest knowledge to. God deserves the credit, not us.

The king asked all the boys in the program one or two questions, but he spent much more time with my three friends and I. The four of us had such a long conversation, all of us adding our thoughts and perceptions on the topics. The king listened intently and seemed rather pleased. 

At the end of the time, King Nebuchadnezzar said, "These four boys, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshachm, and Abednego have gone beyond what their lessons taught. They display an unbelievable understanding. I have even questioned them in matters of wisdom and understanding which only my advisors can answer. I know of no one equal to their intelligence, not any of my magicians or enchanters in the whole kingdom. I want these four boys in my service. Give them everything they need to do their work."

When the powerful king of Babylon honored my friends and I in this way, I knew God had a big job for us. 

*******************************************************************************************************
1. How long have Daniel and his friends been away from their home?
2. Where do they live?
3. Why do they live there?
4. What have they been doing for these past three years?
5. On graduation day, Daniel and his friends were taken where for the last test?
6. How did they do on their test?
7. What reward or punishment did they receive?

Daniel-No Thanks. I Don't Want Royal Food

By Mary Vee
Daniel 1

From Young Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I don't really understand what is going on. Soldiers have us bound like prisoners and yet we are being treated like guests. Does that make sense to you? Me neither.

The chief official escorted all of the boys that had been taken from Judah to a room with a large table. We were instructed to sit down.

The table was polished clean. Several servants brought in plates of food. Rich food we'd only heard about. Wine. Expensive plates and cups. I felt so confused. Were they going to poison us?

My stomach churned. Not because I felt hungry, which I did, but I felt like God was telling me to not eat the food or drink the wine. 

But if we refused to obey, the guards might kill us. If we let the food be set on the table at our place and we didn't eat, the guards might think we were sick and kill us. They had told us that soldiers only selected strong, healthy and smart boys for this job at the palace.

I took a chance and looked at the guard. "May I ask a question?" 

He came over to me. "What is it?"

"We have been raised with a special diet that our God gave to our people. To eat the royal food and wine you are serving would, in a way, make us dirty. May we eat foods from our diet?"

The chief surprised me. First, he let me ask my question. Second he listened to my explanation. Third, he thought about his answer rather than shouting no and hitting me. I quickly prayed, asking God to show us what to do.

The official folded his arms and looked deeply in my eyes. His rough face soften like my dad's would. "I am afraid of my lord the king who has assigned your food and drink. The food we give you will make you strong and bring color to your face. The king will look on you and have me hauled off to be hung all because I wanted to help you."

There had to be some way to make this work. Daniel pointed to his three friends. "Please, test us for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our looks with that of the others who eat the royal food."

The official shook his head, and I thought for sure he would say no. He took a deep breath. "All right. But only ten days. Don't prove me wrong."

"Thank you."

Each day, my three friends and I sat at the table at mealtime with plates of vegetables and water in our goblets while the other boys had the rich, royal food. For some crazy reason the vegetables tasted better than we've ever had. The other boys who ate the royal food smacked their lips and tried to share theirs with us. We didn't take any. 

On the tenth day, the official lined all of us up and kept the four of us together at the end. He looked at our faces then at the other boys who ate the royal food. "I am surprised. Shocked. You four boys look healthier than all the others."

He turned to the servants who worked under him. "All of the boys are to have the vegetable and water diet from now on."

Even though we were forced to live in a foreign land bound like prisoners, God made it so we could eat the diet we were use to.

*******************************************************************************************************
1. What was Daniel confused about?
2. Where were the boys taken?
3. What were they given?
4. What did Daniel think might happen if he asked his question?
5. What happened?
6. After ten days what happened?

Hudson Taylor-Pray Big Expect Answers

By Mary Vee

Year: 1887 

Hudson Taylor: age 55

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

The work of China Inland Mission grew strong all around China. The more we did, the more we realized we needed help to do more.

One of the missionaries said, "We need one hundred missionaries to come in 1887." And so it became our goal, our deepest prayer that God would send one hundred missionaries with this short notice.

God knew the work. The need didn't just pop in that missionary's mind, God put the thought in his heart. Now we need to do what is expected of us.

A missionary in Shanghai heard about China Inland Mission's plan to train and send one hundred missionaries in less than one year. He said, "I am delighted to hear that you are praying for large reinforcements. You will not get a hundred, of course, not within one year. But you will get many more than if you did not ask for them."

Oh, his comment did not ring true. Didn't he have the faith needed to know God can do ANYTHING? I answered him "We have the joy beforehand. But I feel sure that you will share in our joy in welcoming the last of the hundred to China."

The man smirked. Still not believing such a huge request from God would happen. 

On January 6, 1887 the harsh winds of winter pounded Shanghai. I boarded a boat, excited to return to England and let others know about our need for one hundred missionaries. We need not only men and women but also the finances to support these new missionaries.

I arrived at the docks of London in February. Right away I spoke to audiences telling them of the work in China. I continued a busy schedule in March and April, speaking to audiences, attending meetings, there seemed to be an endless amount of work to do--and, although exhausted, I accepted the task God gave me. God sent me to America, Canada, and other countries to share the need for missionaries and the money to pay their support.

During the year, an amazing number of men and women volunteered to become missionaries in China. 600! Yes, 600! Well, I knew many sincere people signed up not really understanding the hardships they would face. We looked through all the applications and interviewed many of the men and women. 

When we finished praying, reading every application, interviewing, explaining, and training the year was about to end and 102 new missionaries set sail for China. Praise God for His answer to our prayer.

Later, I heard the most amusing news. That Shanghai missionary who said this couldn't happen--stood at the docks and greeted the missionaries, especially the last three. 

God put the prayer in our hearts, gave us the energy to do the work, and answered a big request. He will answer your prayers, too. 

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

Stolen from His Home

By Mary Vee
Daniel 1

From Young Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

The court official told my friends and I to not be afraid, but we were.

My name is Daniel and I use to live in Judah.

The soldiers came to our homes and spoke a language I didn't understand. We weren't doing anything wrong. He ordered my friends and I to go with him. Anyone who resisted would have chains put on their wrists and feet and forced to walk. 

My mom cried out but the soldiers pulled her away from me.

They didn't want everyone, only the boys who fit what the king ordered. They went to the royal family and the nobility looking for young men about my age. They looked at our eyes, our teeth, our arms and legs to see if we had anything physically wrong with us. 

The officials took us to a big room and asked questions. Those of us who knew the answers and showed we could learn quickly were told the Babylonian king wanted us to serve in the palace.

I didn't consider it an honor. I wanted to stay home.

The officials gave us Babylonian names. Everyone had to call me Belteshazzar from now on, my friend Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was named Meshach. Azariah was named Abednego. 

The journey to Babylon took a long time. I've never traveled this far from home before. My feet ached. Blisters formed. We walked over mountains, and turned east. The city popped up in the horizon like a giant. The closer we came, the bigger the city grew. 

The officials said we would begin long days of school as soon as we arrived. We would be taught the language spoken by the Babylonians and their literature. If I have to be here, I'd rather learn their language so I can understand the people than to know understand them. The king said we would only have three years to learn everything he wanted. At that time he will decide who goes where.

On the journey, the official served us Babylonian food. He then said the king wanted us to have an assigned amount of food to eat every day and wine from the royal table when we arrived at the palace.

I missed my parents, my bed, my home, the people, my land, my language, even our food. I didn't want the palace, or to have a Babylonian king proud of me.

I have no idea how long we'll have to stay here.

I really would like to go home.

*******************************************************************************************************
1. What did the soldiers do?
2. Who sent them?
3. Why did they only take certain boys?
4. What did they want the boys to do?
5. What was Daniel's new name?
6. What did Daniel want to do?

Ninevah Listen to Jonah but Judah Didn't Listen to Jeremiah

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 36

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy

Baruch and I had spent a long time recording the messages God had given to the people through me.

I am Jeremiah, the prophet.

I had a feeling something bad would happen, but God asked us to write the words then take them to the king to read. The king destroyed every scroll.

God came to me again and said, "I want you to taken another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll. The one Jehoiakim king of Judah burned to ashes.

I sent for Baruch. When he arrived I told him the news. "God asks us to write the messages on a scroll again." We set to work. Baruch did a great job. 

God also asked me to go to Jehoiakim and give him this special message:

"Because you would believe the message that said the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and cut off both men and animals from it, you will have no one to sit on the throne as king of Judah. You will be thrown out and have to live with the heat during the day and frost at night. You, your children, and your servants will be punished. 

God then said, "All the punishments written in the scrolls you burned will happen to you because you wouldn't listen when I gave you a warning through my prophet."

Even the great city of Ninevah listen when Jonah told them they had to say they were sorry and obey God or their city would be destroyed. I don't understand why Judah won't.

Before a day had passed, some Israelites were taken as prisoners. Among them, Daniel.

Oh how I wished the king and the people had listened. What is about to happen in the land will be terrible.
*******************************************************************************************************
1. God came to Jeremiah again and asked him to do what?
2. Who did Jeremiah ask to help him?
3. Who did God tell Jeremiah to take a special message to?
4. What was the message?
5. What happened right away?

Hudson Taylor-Opium in China

By Mary Vee

Year: 1887 

Hudson Taylor: age 55

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

Many people in China had grown use to taking a drug called opium. This terrible drug hurt the people. The more men and women used the drug, the more they wanted the drug. They could not stop on their own.

Opium caused the users to have problems making good choices. Sometimes the people who used it ran out of money to buy more. These men and women sold anything they had to buy opium, even family members.

Pastor Hsi, one of the Chinese missionaries, wanted to help these people. He bought buildings in different cities and set up a place where men and women could come to stop taking the opium drug. While there, the men and women heard about God and received food and drink, a nice place to sleep and someone to talk to.

Pastor Hsi and his wife prayed often for the people in Linfen. So many men and women in Linfen needed a place to help them stop taking the opium drug but Pastor Hsi didn't have money to help them. One day, Mrs. Hsi went to her room and brought down a box. She set it on the table in front of her husband. "I think God has answered our prayers about Linfen."

Pastor Hsi opened the box and found all of her jewelry that made up her dowery. "Are you sure you want to give these away?" 

"Oh, yes."

They sold the jewelry and used the money to buy a building and to pay nurses to take care of the opium users. Refuges from the city and nearby villages came. While there, they heard about the God who loves them and learned to live without the drug.

Sometime later I asked Mrs. Hsi if she missed having her special jewelry. She said, "Miss them? I have Jesus. He is all I need."

Pastor and Mrs. Hsi spent their lives helping the people of China to stop taking the opium drug. After seeing his strong desire to help teach the people of China about the God who loves them, I put Pastor Hsi in charge of helping the churches in the area. 

I am so thankful to a loving God who helps His people.

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

Evil King Jehoiakim Burns God's Word

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 36

From Jehudi's Journal

Photo Courtesy

You may not have heard of me, I'm not a famous prophet like Jeremiah and am not a king. I'm someone who God asked to do a job...just like you.

Jeremiah is a great prophet of God. Recently God told Jeremiah to write down all the messages He had given to Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah hired a scribed named Baruch and they worked for many days writing down the words. 

King Jehoiakim wouldn't allow Jeremiah to go to the temple. But Jeremiah was a smart man. He told Baruch to take the finished scrolls with God's messages to the temple and read them. He did. 

The officials sent me to bring Baruch and the scrolls to them when he finished. Baruch read the scrolls to the officials. We all became afraid of what God said He would do in the message. The officials knew they needed to tell the king about the scroll, but were very afraid what he would do. They told Baruch to take Jeremiah and hide then they hid the scrolls.

I went with them to speak with the king.

"My lord," one official said. "A message has been read to us. It concerns a great punishment that will be brought on our land by God if the people do not say they are sorry for their wicked ways and change."

The king looked at me. "Bring me this scroll."

I ran to the hiding place, took out the scroll, and took it to king Jehoiakim. Winter had come upon us and the rooms were cold. Jehoiakim sat in his winter apartment with a fire burning in the fire pot to keep him warm. "Come forward, Jehudi, and read to me the words on the scroll in your hand."

I did as he said. He had me stand close to him. I unrolled a part of the scroll and began reading. As I finished the first four columns of scroll, King Jehoiakim cut off the parchment with a scribe's knife and threw them into the fire pot.

I didn't know what to do. He surprised me.

"Keep reading, Jehudi."

He had a knife in his hand and the power to kill. I kept reading, and he kept cutting and burning God's words until the last piece burned to ashes. King Jehoiakim and his servants didn't seem to be afraid of God's promise to punish the people. They didn't tear their clothes to show God they heard the words and were sorry. 

Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah asked King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll. He refused to listen to them. Instead, he commanded his son and two other men to find Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet and arrest them.

I knew in my heart, though, that God would protect Baruch and Jeremiah...and was right. The king son's and his friends did not find them.

If the king doesn't change his mind, the whole country will suffer.

*******************************************************************************************************
1. Who is Jeremiah?
2. Who is Baruch?
3. Who is Jehudi?
4. What did the king do when Jehudi read the scrolls?
5. When Jehudi finished reading what did King Jehoiakim do?
6. Did King Jehoiakim find them?
7. What did King Jehoiakim do wrong?

Jeremiah Found a Way to Get God's Word in the Temple

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 36

From Baruch's Journal

Jeremiah the prophet hired me to write down the words that the Lord had spoken to him.

We spent many days working on this project. 

As I cleaned up my work space, Jeremiah said, "I am not allowed to go to the Lord's temple. The king won't let me go there. You must go for me. 

"Me?"

"Yes. Go to the house of the Lord on a day of fasting and read to the people from these scrolls. Read the whole thing to them. Maybe if they hear these words they will turn from their wicked ways. God is very angry with them and has promised a great punishment. This can all stop if the people will only say they are sorry and turn from doing bad."

I have lived in this land a long time working as a scribe, and in truth, I can't see the people wanting to change. Not that they couldn't. They simply won't.

Still, I would love to be wrong. So I did as Jeremiah asked.

The next day of fast would be in the ninth month of the fifth year of king Jehoiakim, son of the great king Josiah. Jehoiakim was not a good king. He worshiped idols and encouraged the people to do the same. 

I packed my things and walked to the Lord's temple on that day of fast and went inside to read the words from the scroll that the Lord had given Jeremiah. People came from all over Judah to the temple for the celebration.

I went to Gemariah's room which was in the upper courtyard at the entrance of the New Gate of the temple. There I unrolled the scroll and read every word as Jeremiah asked me to.

Michaiah heard all the words from the scroll then went down to the secretary's room in the royal palace. All the officials were there. "Listen carefully. Baruch has read words from God as told to the prophet Jeremiah."

"Where is he?"

"He's still at the temple."

One of the men turned to Jehudi. "Bring Baruch and the scroll here."

Jehudi ran to Gemariah's room where I was sitting. "Baruch, you have been summoned to bring your scroll to the officials."

I agreed to go with them. When I arrived at their meeting, the officials asked me to sit down with them and read the words from the scroll. I of course did as they asked.

As I finished the words I looked up at their faces. They all seemed afraid. "We must report these words to the king. Tell us, how did you come to write all this. Did Jeremiah dictate it?"

"Yes, he told me all these words and I wrote them here on this scroll."

"You and Jeremiah must go and hide at once. Don't let anyone know where you are."

I left the scroll with the officials and ran back to Jeremiah. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I will be hiding like the officials said to do.

*******************************************************************************************************
1. Where did Jeremiah tell Baruch to go?
2. What did Baruch do there?
3. What did the officials want?
4. What were the officials afraid of?
5. What did they tell Baruch to do?

Hudson Taylor-One Hundred Came

By Mary Vee

Year: 1887 

Hudson Taylor: age 55

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

God has done so much for us here at China Inland Mission. I am confident that when a need for the mission comes to my attention, God expects me to ask for His help and to expect Him to provide.

I had finished a long journey to each mission in China. I didn't care that it was the rainy season, our missionaries needed to be able to share their needs. There  really was no other way to communicated than to visit each location. China is a really big country!

After listening to the missionaries, their needs and wishes, my assistant and I realized the greatest need was more workers. We have asked God before and He has always supplied. This time, though, the number 100 came to mind. I told the local Chinese Christians we wanted to ask God to send one hundred missionaries in one year to help with the work. Even the secretary who wrote the letter to our English office for me smiled. They didn't think God could or would do it. 

One elderly missionary said, "Oh you can ask all right. God will bless you for your faith and send quite a few new missionaries, but 100? I don't think so."

"Well, then," I smiled at him. "I will expect you to greet the one hundredth missionary when he steps off of the boat in Shanghai before a year ends." 

I completed my work in China and prepared to return to England to help with the main office. Every day my associates prayed and even sang with me:

"Oh, send the hundred workers, Lord,
Those of Thy heart and mind and choice,
To tell Thy love both far and wide--
So shall we praise Thee and rejoice:
And above the rest this note shall swell,
My Jesus had done all things well."

I arrived back in England in February of 1887 with my heart set on doing my part. I spoke at churches and conferences throughout the British Isles. I wrote articles, interviewed people, wrote letters, working very long days to discover and prepare the ones God called to be missionaries in China.

During 1887, six hundred men and women had applied to be missionaries to China. The committee and I prayed over each application. We knew that among the six hundred people who asked, one hundred of God's chosen missionaries could be found. 

We read each application, called each person in and spoke with them, and spent hours praying, asking God to show us who He wanted to go to China. When we finished the work, one hundred and two missionaries left for China and arrived before the one year's time ended. 

The elderly missionary kept watch and count. When the one hundredth missionary stepped off the boat in Shanghai, he stood at the boatyard and greeted him.

I am convinced that God put the number one hundred in our hearts to show us what wondrous things He could do. As a result of the new one hundred workers, we are able to tell more men and women in China about the God who loves them very much.

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