Science Vs. Religion

The name of this post in truth, should have been Science and God. But we view science and religion as being diametrically opposite, though they go hand in hand. 

Science explains the "how" of God and His creation while religion explains the "why". For example, it can tell us how it rains but cannot tell you why it does or does not rain and why should it rain. Why do we die? Science can tell us how we die but cannot explain why we die.

The fact is the world and all that is in it, is part of God's creation. And God uses His creation to bless us or deprive us, according to His will and judgement. For example, we have completely disrespected nature, Gods creation, throughout the ages and today we are paying the price of that disrespect and destruction.

The "how" is what science helps us to understand, so that we truly appreciate what God has done, and praise Him in awe and wonder. This understanding of the "how" of creation inspired King David to say

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well".

King David understood how we are made and praised God.

The challenge is the why? Why are we fearfully and wonderfully made? Why were you made? For what purpose? What is my purpose? Do we even think about it? Yes, the common overarching purpose for all of us is to serve God. But each one will have a specific task as well. 

Science cannot tell us why we were made and our purpose, but if we ask God, He can. And whatever is our purpose, be sure he has equipped us for it. Be warned though, that question is a double-edged sword because the answer can turn our world upside down. So, before you ask, be prepared.

Feasting During Adversity

Psalm 23 is quite strange. After all, after having walked through the "valley of the shadow of death" God prepares a feast for David in the presence of his enemies! Can we/ you ever feast or banquet during adverse times?

The KJV devotional has this to say -

"David faced so many challenges but remained confident in the power and provision of God. He knew how God could prepare a feast; not just in a secure place but even in the presence of enemies. This illustration shows us the richness of God’s care for His people and the confidence we can have in Him. We see here that God prepares the table and does not bother to remove the presence of enemies (or adversity). This means that there are times when God allows hardships to linger, but He still provides care, sustenance, provision, and strength while we are going through these adversities.

We cannot always expect God to get rid of all of our obstacles for us, but we can be confident that even when surrounded by threats or hardships, God invites us to sit and dine at His table, enjoy His blessings, and trust that He can protect us (and help us to overcome). As our provider, He ensures that we are nourished and well cared for even when we face opposition or threats."

David leaves his story for us as a proof that God provides for our needs, even in extremely challenging circumstances. He blesses us with abundance and joy as well as protection for the adversity that may surround us, at all times. 

Rise and Shine by Janice Riley is available here. 

Rise and Shine: Book Review

Today, we cover a book named "Time to Rise and Shine" by Janice Riley, a dear friend, book publisher, and ordained minister. She and her husband Rob, a professional and short-term missionary, have visited India, Honduras and the Dominican Republic for revival meetings. Their mission trips included construction projects, prophetic training, community outreach and more.

The book highlights the changing needs of Christianity in today's world and the need for a Christ-like response to people and situations.

According to Janice, "this book is a heart’s cry to come and be transformed into the likeness of Christ, calling the Bride of Christ into her destiny, her identity.

While The Church has been told what to do, given the top five ways to make it happen and a comfy seat to sit in while they watch the sage on the stage preach one more sermon, and enjoy one more musical performance by the worship team, religious tradition has assembled a mass of spectators to watch a special few do the work of the Lord.

Meanwhile, broken, sick and downtrodden people are falling to the wayside every day, ignorant of the Love of the Father, blinded to the Truth of who they really are".

Janice goes on to say, "It is time to discuss what being a true follower of Jesus Christ looks like and dig into executable tactics on how to do just that".

So, here we go. Get in, sit down, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

The book can be bought at here. 

The link will be part of our posts this month for all those who may be interested.

Note: This is not an ad and TWWJ gets no direct or indirect renumeration/fees.

Sunday Quotes

How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts! - Benjamin Franklin
This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people. - C.S. Lewis
I believe there are too many practitioners in the church who are not believers.- C.S. Lewis
Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.- Henry Ward Beecher
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.- Charles Spurgeon
Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.- Charles Spurgeon
Experience tells us that each man most keenly and unerringly detects in others the vice with which he is most familiar himself.- Frederick W. Robertson
Steal the hog, and give the feet for alms.- George Herbert
The Pharisees broke Moses' tables into pieces, and, gathering up the fragments, took to themselves what part of duty they pleased, and left the rest alone.- Jeremy Taylor
More than once Jesus deliberately addressed certain issues that quickly diminished the number of onlookers. It was commitment that thinned the ranks. - Chuck Swindoll
Those who please all men at all times ought deservedly to look on themselves with suspicion. - Johann Albrecht Bengel

No devil is so dangerous as the religious devil.- Joseph Hall
Next to hypocrisy in religion, there is nothing worse than hypocrisy in friendship.- Joseph Hall
Testimonies are wonderful. But, so often our lives don’t fit our testimonies.- Leonard Ravenhill