GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life

 

 

 

 

Issue #1,166 August 31,2004 Life in a Fish Tank

 

For many years I kept aquariums of various sizes, and my son Kris keeps one in his study area at home. Most of the fish in the tank were born in the aquarium and will live out their lives and die there. It is the entire universe for them. Other than a giant shape outside the tank that mysteriously feeds them when the tank lid is opened or occasionally reaches in and does a water change or squishes a few snails, their existence is combined to the sides of the aquarium.

Now bear with me as I move into the realm of fancy for a bit. Let's pretend the fish think like people and step into their minds.

The scientist fish. "The universe is exactly three years old. I've examined all the evidence and that's when the world most definitely began." "There is a natural cycle of water change. Every two weeks, the universe changes by 1/3 naturally." "Sure there have been strange reports of mysterious beings outside our universe, but there is no scientific proofed that they exist so I must discount such reports."

The "faith filled fish". "There must be something beyond what we can see. Where did all the things come from that enabled the universe to start three years ago? They must have come from something." "Our food is mysteriously provided by something outside of our universe, surely that suggests there is a caring god out there."

I could go on and make similar fanciful analogies. We're not all that much different from the fish. Even though they don't think like people, all they "know" is what is within the walls of their little corner of the universe. All we "know" is what is in the little bit of the universe we can experience. We can't even explain how it works fully or how it started.

I'm going to make some very general statements. There are of course exceptions to what I'm about to talk about. The scientist often says there is no God, but when push comes to shove, they will often admit that the universe appears to have an intelligent design although they generally won't use the word god. They can talk about the "big bang" but they will admit that it defies the laws of thermodynamics and can't explain where the material came from for the "bang".

The world of science isn't our enemy. It is an excellent tool for understanding the mechanics of how things work.

It isn't the be all and end all. Science isn't God. It is an incredibly unreliable tool for determining answers to the why questions. Today's scientific "fact" is tomorrows disproved theory. It is also a faith. Much science begins with certain assumptions and parameters that cannot be proven and builds from there. They take by faith that things are as the theory says they are.

My point? We need not fear science, but we must also compare it to what Scripture says. Our faith is in God, theirs in mysterious unknowns and theorems. Where science matches up with Scripture it's worth embracing whole-heartedly, within the limits I've discussed. Where it deviates, we need to hold fast to Scripture.

My faith is in a personal, loving God. The scientists faith is in a mysterious impersonal "intelligent designer" or in the talents of a theorist. I'll take my God over that anytime.

True wisdom comes in knowing where to place your faith.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 111:10 NIV
And he said to man, The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'
Job 28:28 NIV

Don't be fooled by the limits of the fish tank walls. Embrace the tenants of science that hold up under the light of the Word, but always remember the true source of wisdom

Until next time, may you seek and find true Godly wisdom.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.

HELP FOR THE HURTING

Are you looking for something to give your life meanings? Searching for something that will be there after you've gone? Look no further. By opening your heart up to Jesus Christ and walking in obedience to Him, your legacy will be eternal.

He's not interested in what the world thinks of you. He has a special plan just for you, something that only you can accomplish. All you have to do is ask Him to take charge of your life and follow His leading. Will you?

If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you.

You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer; it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to all who will accept it.

Jesus:

I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord.

Amen

If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.

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