A FLY WITH ANTS ON ITS WINGS
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
When most people look at a photo of the Goniurellia tridens fruit fly, they think it must have been created by a talented Photoshop artist. No, this fly with images of ant-like insects on its wings is no accident of nature. The images were put there by a Master Designer.
Dr. Brigitte Howarth, the fly specialist at Zayed University in the UAE who first discovered G tridens, said that the image on the wing is absolutely perfect. A closer examination of the transparent wings of Goniurellia tridens reveals a piece of evolutionary art. Each wing carries a precisely detailed image of an ant-like insect, complete with six legs, two antennae, a head, thorax and tapered abdomen. When threatened, the fly flashes its wings to give the appearance of ants walking back and forth. This confuses the predator, allowing the fly to escape.
As expected, the story and pictures of G tridens were soon flying all over the Internet. Evolutionists rejoiced, claiming that the fruit fly was a beautiful example of natural selection. But we have to point out that there is no evidence whatsoever to support that claim. As usual, evolutionists simply assume that evolution is true. What they fail to do is show how those images of ants got on the fly's wings.
Creationists don't need to provide a step-by-step explanation of how these extraordinary wings developed. The fact is, the design is in their genes! God designed them that way!
Heavenly Father, when I look at the things You have created, I see what unbelievers are unable to see. Open their eyes so they might see that You are the designer who alone has the power to save them from their sins. Amen.
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
When most people look at a photo of the Goniurellia tridens fruit fly, they think it must have been created by a talented Photoshop artist. No, this fly with images of ant-like insects on its wings is no accident of nature. The images were put there by a Master Designer.
Dr. Brigitte Howarth, the fly specialist at Zayed University in the UAE who first discovered G tridens, said that the image on the wing is absolutely perfect. A closer examination of the transparent wings of Goniurellia tridens reveals a piece of evolutionary art. Each wing carries a precisely detailed image of an ant-like insect, complete with six legs, two antennae, a head, thorax and tapered abdomen. When threatened, the fly flashes its wings to give the appearance of ants walking back and forth. This confuses the predator, allowing the fly to escape.
As expected, the story and pictures of G tridens were soon flying all over the Internet. Evolutionists rejoiced, claiming that the fruit fly was a beautiful example of natural selection. But we have to point out that there is no evidence whatsoever to support that claim. As usual, evolutionists simply assume that evolution is true. What they fail to do is show how those images of ants got on the fly's wings.
Creationists don't need to provide a step-by-step explanation of how these extraordinary wings developed. The fact is, the design is in their genes! God designed them that way!
Heavenly Father, when I look at the things You have created, I see what unbelievers are unable to see. Open their eyes so they might see that You are the designer who alone has the power to save them from their sins. Amen.
A KNOTTY SOLUTION
Romans 5:6
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
"That's a knotty problem!" This figure of speech is used to describe a problem that's complex and difficult to solve – filled with knots, so to speak. Today, we're going to talk about a knotty solution that God has given to a fish that's been called the most disgusting creature in the sea.
The hagfish has a rather nauseating form of self-defense. As soon as a predator disturbs it, the little creature instantaneously releases slime into the water. This slime quickly clogs the predator's mouth and gills, causing it to beat a hasty retreat. The microfibrous slime absorbs water, creating a huge amount of the gooey stuff. In fact, a hagfish can fill a large home aquarium with slime within a matter of seconds.
But the slime isn't healthy for the hagfish either. What is he going to do to keep from clogging his own gills? His Creator has given this creature the ability to literally tie itself into an overhand knot by curling its own body around itself. The fish then manipulates the knot toward its other end, scraping the slime off its body.
The knotty solution that God has given to the hagfish can't begin to compare to the solution that God has given us to escape from the knotty problem of sin. We don't have the ability to rid ourselves of the sin that clings to us like the slime on a hagfish. That's why God removes the penalty and power of sin when we put our faith in Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world as the one and only solution to the knotty problem of sin. Amen.
Romans 5:6
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
"That's a knotty problem!" This figure of speech is used to describe a problem that's complex and difficult to solve – filled with knots, so to speak. Today, we're going to talk about a knotty solution that God has given to a fish that's been called the most disgusting creature in the sea.
The hagfish has a rather nauseating form of self-defense. As soon as a predator disturbs it, the little creature instantaneously releases slime into the water. This slime quickly clogs the predator's mouth and gills, causing it to beat a hasty retreat. The microfibrous slime absorbs water, creating a huge amount of the gooey stuff. In fact, a hagfish can fill a large home aquarium with slime within a matter of seconds.
But the slime isn't healthy for the hagfish either. What is he going to do to keep from clogging his own gills? His Creator has given this creature the ability to literally tie itself into an overhand knot by curling its own body around itself. The fish then manipulates the knot toward its other end, scraping the slime off its body.
The knotty solution that God has given to the hagfish can't begin to compare to the solution that God has given us to escape from the knotty problem of sin. We don't have the ability to rid ourselves of the sin that clings to us like the slime on a hagfish. That's why God removes the penalty and power of sin when we put our faith in Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world as the one and only solution to the knotty problem of sin. Amen.
A NOISY, BIRD BRAINED HAREM
Job 28:20-21
"Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air."
Scripture frequently makes reference to the fact that birds are not very smart compared to human beings. The tropical wetland bird called the jacana shows that you don't have to be very smart to be deceptive. The jacana is noteworthy for several reasons. It is one of only 20 species of birds in the world where the female leaves the care of the young to the males. One flock in southern India was made up of about 50 birds. The males staked out their territory on floating vegetation, often getting into violent fights with other males. Then the females, which are about 60 percent larger than the males, fought with each other for exclusive rights to up to four male territories. Once territories were established, the females would visit each of the males in her territory, mating with each.
Once the eggs are laid in each male's nest, the female shows no more interest in her offspring. The male will care for the eggs and youngsters once they hatch, until the time they are ready to leave home. But the smaller males have their own strategy for dealing with their situation. They yell. Researchers say a yelling male is really blackmailing the larger female into giving him some attention. A yelling male attracts the attention of other nearby females who might want to take him into her own harem, so his mate comes running to pay attention to him. Sometimes males will even fake an emergency which brings his mate in a hurry. God is the source of all wisdom, and He gave each of His creatures enough wisdom to conduct their lives.
Father, I thank You for Your wisdom in Holy Scripture. Grant me understanding as I read Your Word. Amen.
Job 28:20-21
"Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air."
Scripture frequently makes reference to the fact that birds are not very smart compared to human beings. The tropical wetland bird called the jacana shows that you don't have to be very smart to be deceptive. The jacana is noteworthy for several reasons. It is one of only 20 species of birds in the world where the female leaves the care of the young to the males. One flock in southern India was made up of about 50 birds. The males staked out their territory on floating vegetation, often getting into violent fights with other males. Then the females, which are about 60 percent larger than the males, fought with each other for exclusive rights to up to four male territories. Once territories were established, the females would visit each of the males in her territory, mating with each.
Once the eggs are laid in each male's nest, the female shows no more interest in her offspring. The male will care for the eggs and youngsters once they hatch, until the time they are ready to leave home. But the smaller males have their own strategy for dealing with their situation. They yell. Researchers say a yelling male is really blackmailing the larger female into giving him some attention. A yelling male attracts the attention of other nearby females who might want to take him into her own harem, so his mate comes running to pay attention to him. Sometimes males will even fake an emergency which brings his mate in a hurry. God is the source of all wisdom, and He gave each of His creatures enough wisdom to conduct their lives.
Father, I thank You for Your wisdom in Holy Scripture. Grant me understanding as I read Your Word. Amen.
A SECOND SET OF EYES
Exodus 4:11
"And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?"
What has five eyes and is the fastest-running insect on Earth? The little fellow is called the Cataglyphis, or desert ant.
The desert ant can run at a speed of up to a yard per second, or about two miles per hour. It will wander far from home – often more than 600 feet from its nest (and that's a long way in ant miles). Now, there are few landmarks in the desert, but the desert ant never seems to get lost, and scientists have wondered how he does it.
Studies have shown that the desert ant has three eyes in addition to the usual two. These three extra eyes are in its forehead and allow the ant to see and recognize the varying patterns of polarized light in the desert. In other words, the desert ant navigates in the featureless desert by being able to see features in light that are invisible to our eyes. One scientist observed that without its speed and the special abilities of its extra three eyes, the desert ant would never be able to survive in the desert.
It seems as if there is no end to the creative inventions and special abilities we find in the living world. That is just what we would expect, living in the creation of an unlimited, wise, and all-knowing Creator!
Dear Father, even man's cleverest technology is poor and unimaginative when compared to the least of Your works. I thank You that You would be my perfect Father and helper through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Exodus 4:11
"And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?"
What has five eyes and is the fastest-running insect on Earth? The little fellow is called the Cataglyphis, or desert ant.
The desert ant can run at a speed of up to a yard per second, or about two miles per hour. It will wander far from home – often more than 600 feet from its nest (and that's a long way in ant miles). Now, there are few landmarks in the desert, but the desert ant never seems to get lost, and scientists have wondered how he does it.
Studies have shown that the desert ant has three eyes in addition to the usual two. These three extra eyes are in its forehead and allow the ant to see and recognize the varying patterns of polarized light in the desert. In other words, the desert ant navigates in the featureless desert by being able to see features in light that are invisible to our eyes. One scientist observed that without its speed and the special abilities of its extra three eyes, the desert ant would never be able to survive in the desert.
It seems as if there is no end to the creative inventions and special abilities we find in the living world. That is just what we would expect, living in the creation of an unlimited, wise, and all-knowing Creator!
Dear Father, even man's cleverest technology is poor and unimaginative when compared to the least of Your works. I thank You that You would be my perfect Father and helper through Jesus Christ. Amen.
A SIMIAN SHAKESPEARE THEATRE?
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
You may never see a troop of monkeys traveling from city to city to perform Shakespeare, but some researchers now believe that monkeys do, indeed, develop culture. This unexpected discovery does not support evolution. Rather, it shows how the creation itself reflects the nature of our Creator. God's very act of creation was an application of His knowledge to impress order on the creation. But human beings are not the only creatures who likewise use knowledge to increase order and make life easier. When such knowledge and order is passed on to the next generation, you have what we call culture.
Researchers studied the scientific literature on four populations of African chimps. Their study revealed that these chimp populations do, indeed, pass knowledge on to their children. For example, one population eats soldier ants by holding a stick near the entrance to the nest. Once the stick is filled with ants, they sweep the stick clean with their lips. At another preserve, the chimps collect the ants the same way, but then sweep the stick clean with their fingers.
Researchers have even seen mother chimps teaching their children certain skills. They have seen mother chimps leave nuts and stone "hammers" near rocks that could be used as anvils to teach their children how to open nuts. One mother even did a slow motion demonstration of nut cracking for her child. No, it's not the ability to pass on information that makes us unique. It's God's special love for us in sending His Son to save us!
Dear Father, we thank You for Your love for us in making Yourself evident in the creation. Help us witness Your love, too. Amen.
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
You may never see a troop of monkeys traveling from city to city to perform Shakespeare, but some researchers now believe that monkeys do, indeed, develop culture. This unexpected discovery does not support evolution. Rather, it shows how the creation itself reflects the nature of our Creator. God's very act of creation was an application of His knowledge to impress order on the creation. But human beings are not the only creatures who likewise use knowledge to increase order and make life easier. When such knowledge and order is passed on to the next generation, you have what we call culture.
Researchers studied the scientific literature on four populations of African chimps. Their study revealed that these chimp populations do, indeed, pass knowledge on to their children. For example, one population eats soldier ants by holding a stick near the entrance to the nest. Once the stick is filled with ants, they sweep the stick clean with their lips. At another preserve, the chimps collect the ants the same way, but then sweep the stick clean with their fingers.
Researchers have even seen mother chimps teaching their children certain skills. They have seen mother chimps leave nuts and stone "hammers" near rocks that could be used as anvils to teach their children how to open nuts. One mother even did a slow motion demonstration of nut cracking for her child. No, it's not the ability to pass on information that makes us unique. It's God's special love for us in sending His Son to save us!
Dear Father, we thank You for Your love for us in making Yourself evident in the creation. Help us witness Your love, too. Amen.
A TINKER TOY FOSSIL EMBARRASSES SCIENTISTS
Proverbs 12:20
"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy."
In October of 1999 scientists announced the discovery of a new fossil at the National Geographic Society in Washington. Scientists from the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, Utah, and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, China, announced the discovery of a so called "missing link." The feathered fossil was clearly a bird, but it had the tail of a small dinosaur. They named it Archaeoraptor.
The fossil from China was not excavated by scientists and its history was uncertain. It possessed the specialized shoulders and chest typical of birds, but it had the long tail identical to some small dinosaurs. After the announcement, scientists proceeded to study the fossil in detail. They found that a few bones that would have connected the tail to the bird body were missing. After more study, they concluded that they had been fooled. Someone had taken the fossilized tail of a dromeosaurid and made it look as if it had been part of the fossil bird. The scientists involved admitted they made a mistake by not examining the fossil before they announced the discovery of a "missing link." Like so many "missing links" before, this one was a hoax.
Every uncontested "missing link" that was ever "discovered" has suffered the same fate as Archaeoraptor. That these "discoveries" are announced before they are studied illustrates that evolution is nothing more than a faith. It is a deceitful faith, and the truth will only be found in the Bible.
Dear Father, let me never be deceived and led away from Your truth. Amen.
Proverbs 12:20
"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy."
In October of 1999 scientists announced the discovery of a new fossil at the National Geographic Society in Washington. Scientists from the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, Utah, and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, China, announced the discovery of a so called "missing link." The feathered fossil was clearly a bird, but it had the tail of a small dinosaur. They named it Archaeoraptor.
The fossil from China was not excavated by scientists and its history was uncertain. It possessed the specialized shoulders and chest typical of birds, but it had the long tail identical to some small dinosaurs. After the announcement, scientists proceeded to study the fossil in detail. They found that a few bones that would have connected the tail to the bird body were missing. After more study, they concluded that they had been fooled. Someone had taken the fossilized tail of a dromeosaurid and made it look as if it had been part of the fossil bird. The scientists involved admitted they made a mistake by not examining the fossil before they announced the discovery of a "missing link." Like so many "missing links" before, this one was a hoax.
Every uncontested "missing link" that was ever "discovered" has suffered the same fate as Archaeoraptor. That these "discoveries" are announced before they are studied illustrates that evolution is nothing more than a faith. It is a deceitful faith, and the truth will only be found in the Bible.
Dear Father, let me never be deceived and led away from Your truth. Amen.
A YOUNG AND ACTIVE MOON
Genesis 1:16
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also."
According to the inflated evolutionary time-scale, the Earth's moon is 4.5 billion years old. A rocky body the size of the moon would be expected to be geologically active for about 1.5 billion years. This means that for the last 3 billion years the moon has been geologically settled or dead. If it is indeed that old.
In the first half of the 20th century there were reports of color changes, bright spots, hazes and other unexplained things being seen on the moon. These sightings were dismissed since it was accepted that the moon was far too old to be geologically active. But the sightings increased to such a level that in 1968 NASA published a report on the sightings titled the Chronological Catalog of Reported Lunar Events.
But this shouldn't be so surprising. Back in 1787 the famous astronomer William Herschel recorded a volcanic eruption on the moon. He reported that he had identified three volcanoes on the darkened limb of the moon. One, he observed, erupted, ejecting luminous material for at least two days. Interestingly, they were in the Aristarchus region of the moon where more than 300 sightings of apparent volcanic activity have been reported.
These reports offer good evidence that the moon is more likely thousands of years old rather than billions, thus fitting in nicely with the biblical chronology.
I thank You, Father, for the beauty of the night sky which shows forth your glory. Amen.
Genesis 1:16
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also."
According to the inflated evolutionary time-scale, the Earth's moon is 4.5 billion years old. A rocky body the size of the moon would be expected to be geologically active for about 1.5 billion years. This means that for the last 3 billion years the moon has been geologically settled or dead. If it is indeed that old.
In the first half of the 20th century there were reports of color changes, bright spots, hazes and other unexplained things being seen on the moon. These sightings were dismissed since it was accepted that the moon was far too old to be geologically active. But the sightings increased to such a level that in 1968 NASA published a report on the sightings titled the Chronological Catalog of Reported Lunar Events.
But this shouldn't be so surprising. Back in 1787 the famous astronomer William Herschel recorded a volcanic eruption on the moon. He reported that he had identified three volcanoes on the darkened limb of the moon. One, he observed, erupted, ejecting luminous material for at least two days. Interestingly, they were in the Aristarchus region of the moon where more than 300 sightings of apparent volcanic activity have been reported.
These reports offer good evidence that the moon is more likely thousands of years old rather than billions, thus fitting in nicely with the biblical chronology.
I thank You, Father, for the beauty of the night sky which shows forth your glory. Amen.
ABIMELECH THE WATERMELON
Judges 9:53
"And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull."
In the book of Judges we read of how "a certain woman" gave the Philistine leader Abimelech a skull fracture when she threw a millstone on him from a tower. Some biblical scholars concluded that no woman could lift a millstone to throw it. Besides, what would a millstone be doing at the top of a tower?
However, archaeologists easily answered these questions. First, the large round stones, often powered by a donkey, weren't invented until a thousand years later. The type of millstone in use at the time of this incident was a round, loaf-shaped stone that weighed between four and seven pounds. Archaeologists have found many of them in the Holy Land. It was used to grind flour in a stone base at a time when every household ground their own flour every day. This job was often done on a roof, in the cool breeze, under an awning.
To test the story, archaeologists in Israel assembled the type of stones that would have been used and a watermelon. They used a magic marker to give the melon a face and named it Abimelech. Then, with the help of several women volunteers, they tossed their stones from an ancient two-story tower. Abimelech did not survive.
Whether the Bible is talking about salvation or history, we know we can trust it as God's Word.
Lord, I thank You for Your love to me in Jesus Christ and Your love in giving us Your Word, faithfully preserved. Amen.
Judges 9:53
"And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull."
In the book of Judges we read of how "a certain woman" gave the Philistine leader Abimelech a skull fracture when she threw a millstone on him from a tower. Some biblical scholars concluded that no woman could lift a millstone to throw it. Besides, what would a millstone be doing at the top of a tower?
However, archaeologists easily answered these questions. First, the large round stones, often powered by a donkey, weren't invented until a thousand years later. The type of millstone in use at the time of this incident was a round, loaf-shaped stone that weighed between four and seven pounds. Archaeologists have found many of them in the Holy Land. It was used to grind flour in a stone base at a time when every household ground their own flour every day. This job was often done on a roof, in the cool breeze, under an awning.
To test the story, archaeologists in Israel assembled the type of stones that would have been used and a watermelon. They used a magic marker to give the melon a face and named it Abimelech. Then, with the help of several women volunteers, they tossed their stones from an ancient two-story tower. Abimelech did not survive.
Whether the Bible is talking about salvation or history, we know we can trust it as God's Word.
Lord, I thank You for Your love to me in Jesus Christ and Your love in giving us Your Word, faithfully preserved. Amen.
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