The Piranha fish, also known as the “River Devil” swims in the vast basin of the Amazon River.  No other fresh-water creature has such a grim reputation for aggressiveness and ferocity.  Only about the size of a Sunfish, the Piranha killing machine involves swimming in schools of dozens to hundreds stalking the Amazon River in search of prey to satisfy their voracious appetites.  When they find a victim, they attack it at full speed using their razor sharp, triangular teeth, to strip the flesh from it’s bones, churning the water to foam and dying it red with blood.

     As a result, Piranha infested waters present a unique problem for the Brazilian herdsmen as they free-graze their precious cattle from one grazing area to another.  The reason is, from time to time, they have to herd them across the Amazon or one of its tributaries which harbors these killer fish.

     The solution is both painful and expensive.  In order to get the herd across to a better pasture, a cow has to be sacrificed by taking it downstream and forcing it into the river.  Immediately the sacrificial beast is swarmed by the deadly Piranha, their jaws ripping the flesh with lightening speed.  While the Piranha are feeding and distracted, the herdsmen quickly drive the rest of the cattle across in safety.  In 20 minutes nothing is left of the sacrificial animal except a skeleton.  But by this time the herd is safe on the other side.

NATURE-ly SPEAKING — a spiritual principle can be observed.  Like the herd of cattle, mankind is in a similar predicament.  He is stuck in a bad “pasture” (this earth) doomed for eternal death.  However, there is another “pasture” (heaven) which guarantees eternal life. But the two pastures are seperated by a “river” known as sin.  Throughout history mankind has tried to get over that river of sin to salvation by bridging it with “good works,” “church membership,” and among a multitude of methods, “religions of many kinds.”  All totally useless.  But, like the Brazilian herdsmen, God presented a  solution to get His chosen “herd” across the sin-cursed gap.  He provided His one and only Son to be a sacrifice, thus bridging the gap from eternal death to eternal life in Heaven.  God allowed His Son, Jesus, to die a horrible death on a cross and then raised Him from the grave 3 days later.  When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, he paid the penalty for our sin and made it possible for mankind to attain heaven and eternal life rather than hell and eternal damnation.

     The Bible says, “God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together.” (1 Timothy 2:5, Living Bible). To take advantage of God’s sacrifice and ensure eternal life in Heaven, man must respond by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and receive Him by personal acceptance.  “But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12).

     To do this simply pray and tell God you want to follow Him through faith in His Son, Jesus the Christ.  Here’s a sample prayer:  Father in Heaven, I come to you in the name of your Son,  Jesus Christ.  I desire to be one of your children.  I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, three days later.  I believe this sacrifice was designed so that my sins will be washed away through his shed blood.  I now accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior.  Amen.”

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world (put your name here), that He gave His only begotten Son, that if whosoever (put your name here) believes in Him, (he/she) shall not perish, but (put your name here) will have everlasting life.