Rainbows, God, and Science

Sunday morning, May 17, 2020, I took my dog out and I witnessed a beautiful rainbow in the sky and I was reminded of the origin of the rainbow in Genesis. God promised to not flood the Earth again.

Genesis 9 King James Version (KJV)

9 “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

²And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

³Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

⁴But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

⁵And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.

⁶Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

⁷And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

⁸And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

⁹And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

¹⁰And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of thecattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

¹¹And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

¹²And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

¹³I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

¹⁴And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

¹⁵And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

¹⁶And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

¹⁷And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.” (Bible Gateway King James Version 2020)

It’s kind of funny, not in a laugh out loud sense, but more of a ludicrous way that scientists feel the need to explain or prove everything through scientific method which means “a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses”, (Powered by Oxford Dictionaries Bing Translator 2020), and that led me to wonder when the first scientist discovered rainbows or at least came up with “why” and “how” rainbows appear.

According to (Coffeeshop Physics by Jim Pivarski 2011 – 2015),” Rainbows continued to be the bleeding edge of scientific research through the middle ages, with many Islamic scholars and Christian monks contributing to the problem. It often happens in science that the same discovery is made independently by two groups, simply because enough pieces of the solution are “in the air.” The idea of the Higgs boson, for instance, occurred to three independent groups at the same time: it should be called a Higgs-Englert-Brout-Guralnik-Hagen-Kibble boson. The reason that water droplets reflect light within 42 degrees and outside of 51 degrees was solved simultaneously by Persian scholar Kamāl al-Dīn Fārisī and Dominican monk Theodoric of Freiberg in the first decade of the fourteenth century.”

“Fārisī and Theodoric both approached the problem with the combination of mathematical rigor and experimental honesty that defines modern science. They both filled spherical balls with water to simulate a raindrop, measured angles of light entering and leaving the ball, and used these measurements to arrive at a correct geometrical interpretation of how light bounces around inside. However, there were errors in the details that weren’t resolved until René Descartes solved the problem in 1637.”

I mainly wanted to show when scientists started the whole process of a droplets and the temperature, the whole conditions for a rainbow to form, etc., etc. Of course Genesis was written around 1450 – 1410 B.C. and according to Pivarski “the first part of the puzzle was solved by Aristotle (350 B.C.): why is the rainbow a bow?” You can read the entire article here: http://coffeeshopphysics.com/articles/2011-10/30_the_discovery_of_rainbows/ It’s funny to me that God creates something and then scientists feel like they have to prove or disprove its origin, like how long the Earth has been formed, and how it was created, there may be another article about that coming soon.

Why do we Give in to Temptation?

My wife and I are reading the Bible, we’re on a one year Bible plan, kind of a funny story: she started reading the Bible before me and she would read her Bible at night after we put the kids down to bed and I would watch TV. We like to watch cooking shows, or when “The Voice” is airing, we watch it, and “Songland” too. Anyway, it took me a while to come around and join her in reading the Bible. Men tend to be slower than women in some areas, but I am glad I did. It’s very rewarding spiritually and it’s something we can do together. Anyway, we are reading in Judges, see my message below:

Judges “10:1 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

²And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

³And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

⁴And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

⁵And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

⁶And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.

⁷And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

⁸And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

⁹Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

¹⁰And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

¹¹And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

¹²The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

¹³Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

¹⁴Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

¹⁵And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

¹⁶And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

¹⁷Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

¹⁸And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” (Bible Gateway King James Version, 2020)

What I find remarkable about this is that God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, he conquered the land of milk and honey, God allowed them to conquer the Amorites, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, the Zidonians, the Amalekites, the Maonites, and the Israelites still forsake God by worshipping false Gods after they were warned not to.

What is remarkable to me is that the Israelites knew they were sinning because they said “We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” (Bible Gateway King James Version, 2020)

I don’t want to sound like I am not a sinner, but I don’t understand if we know something is a sin, then why do we do it anyway? I know we are humans and make mistakes and give in to temptation, but it just amazes me, how we can mess up a good thing and not live a pleasing life towards God, or at least try to, and worship him and thank him for our blessings.

Everyone stay safe out there and God Bless.

What if You Knew Your Destiny?

What if you knew your destiny? What if we knew when we were going to die and how? Would you want to know, when and how? I don’t think I would want to know. Then we could possibly change the outcome? I don’t want to know the date I’m going to pass away. I would be more focused on that date than living my life. Would it change the way you’re living if you knew your destiny?

We should live our lives to the best of our abilities like today is the last because tomorrow is not guaranteed to us. I believe each day is a gift from God and if you’re not living the way you should, we may not live a long and fruitful life. On the flip side of that, is it so bad to die? I mean the ultimate goal is to live a life pleasing to God and to go to Heaven, through our belief in Jesus Christ and God’s grace. However, I will feel sad for the people that I leave behind that love me, my wife, my children and loved ones.

I believe we should shine our lights and try to sow seeds with unbelievers, so they can have what we have, everlasting life. I think that if you are not trying to expand God’s Kingdom, we may not live a long and fruitful life. If you have everlasting life and you’re not worried about dying, or what happens when you die, then you can focus on living your best life and spreading the good news about Jesus and telling people that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins so we don’t have to worry about dying and going to a Devil’s Hell, which wasn’t even created for us, therefore we do know our destiny. If you’re a believer, you’re going to Heaven and you’ll have everlasting life.

The Church in Obedience

In our Sunday school lesson this week we are studying being obedient as a Christian. And while we are not meeting in Sunday school, my wife and I try to keep up with our Sunday lessons.

In the introduction our lesson states “Sometimes we can complicate the concept of following God. Following God can be summed up simply as obedience. This is really all that God demands of His people. He does not call believers to be perfect, for God knows that perfection is impossible for mortal human beings. All God asks is that we obey him. Christianity is really that simple. This lesson challenges the believer in the area of obedience. Are you willing to be obedient to God even though it may result in opposition by men? We find a great example to follow from the apostles as they remained obedient to God despite the opposition they faced. More firsts develop in Acts 5:17 – 32: the first miraculous escape from prison and the first beating.” (Baptist Expositor Learner/Spring 2020 Witness to Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria: A study of Acts 1-8)

As Christians we get persecuted because we believe in something that others may not, because we believe in God and that we are saved by God’s grace. That he sent his only son to die on the Cross for our sins so that we may have eternal life in Heaven. You can see in the below scripture that the apostles stood fast in their faith in God, even though they knew they were going to be persecuted.

^17 “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

¹⁸And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

¹⁹But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

²⁰Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

²¹And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

²²But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

²³Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

²⁴Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

²⁵Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

²⁶Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

²⁸Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

³¹Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

³²And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

³³When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

³⁴Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

³⁵And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

³⁶For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

³⁸And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

³⁹But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

⁴⁰And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

⁴²And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Bible Gateway King James Version 2020)

It’s hard to stay the course and have faith as Christians, but that is exactly what we are called to do. Love, Pray and Fish (more on that later).

How Do You Thank God?

How do you thank God when he answer’s a prayer? I was praying the other day that God would keep us safe in this weather coming into Arkansas from Oklahoma. There was a tornado on the ground from Idabel, Oklahoma. The local TV channel had two tornado warnings close to Dequeen, Arkansas, 38 miles away from us, apparently it didn’t turn out to be too serious, but it got my attention.

How do you thank God, when he answers your prayers? I thanked God for keeping us safe. But I wonder if we pray more asking for something than thanking God when he does deliver.

The best thing we can do is make sure we do pray and thank him for answering our prayers and to live a pleasing life towards God. We’re all sinners, it’s hard to live a pleasing life to God, without mistakes, or judgements in error, but he must try our best and ask for forgiveness when we do sin.

We also can make sure we are spreading the good news about Jesus, taking opportunities to tell people about Jesus and about being a Christian. To put our faith in Jesus, that he will take care of us, that he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, so that we can be forgiven for our sins and are saved by God’s grace, that we will spend everlasting life in Heaven with him.

Don’t forget to shine our light and sow the seed with unbelievers and let God convict their hearts and be patient. It may take a long time for their hearts to become convicted, but we need to have faith that it will happen. God bless and thank God.

Would You Drop Everything To Follow Jesus?

Would you give up everything you have, all your possessions, which God allowed you to have, to follow Jesus, to serve him and learn from the ultimate teacher? What an honor it would that would be.

Matthew 19:16^“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

¹⁷And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

¹⁸He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

¹⁹Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

²⁰The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

²¹Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

²²But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

²³Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

²⁴And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

²⁵When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

²⁶But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

²⁷Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

²⁸And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁹And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

³⁰But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Bible Gateway King James Version 2020)

I don’t know how long it would take to sell all your things and donate the proceeds to the poor, but can you imagine the opportunity to go and serve Jesus? Jesus knew the man wouldn’t sell his belongings and donate his wealth to the poor and come and follow him. What would you do? I would like to think that I would. Now, I believe I would, but a few years ago, I may not have. Now, I know what an honor it would be and we should want to do this, not because we are sure to be rewarded in Heaven, but because Jesus died for our sins. It’s the least we can do.

God allows us to have our possession anyway. Why not give it all back for him, for we will be paid back (rewarded) in Heaven. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Bible Gateway King James Version 2020). What would you do?

The Holy Spirit

I’m taking a class with BMA Seminary; Introduction to Christian Teaching. I believe it will help me learn more about the Bible and I hope it will compliment my writing. One of the required books I need for the course is the Baptist Expositor, Leader. I was reading the first lesson of Leader/Spring 2020 book and the first lesson is on Acts 1:1-11.

I’ll summarize what’s taken place: “The apostles, were told to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit Who would empower them to witness for Jesus. Jesus told them that their witnessing would be far-reaching beginning at home and going to the uttermost part of the earth. What a gigantic task that lay before them! How can such a task be accomplished? They key to their success would be the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Baptist Expositor Leader/Spring 2020)

“Today believers do not have to wait for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He came 2,000 years ago to empower the church and has faithfully dome so ever since. We can tap into that power right now and be witnesses for Jesus. Are you utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit now to be an effective witness for Jesus? We should work hard at our witness for Jesus knowing that one day He will return to this earth just as He ascended into Heaven.” (Baptist Expositor Leader/Spring 2020)

We were just talking about this at Church, well we had Brotherhood breakfast at Church; we’re Baptists so we eat a lot, and the devotion was about asking God to use us to witness to others. If we have faith and pray to be used as a witness, the Holy Spirit will make give us the words and confidence to be an effective witness. I know it’s hard to step out and have faith to talk to others about Christ, but that’s what were supposed to do, we are supposed to build the Kingdom. I read a statistic that shocked me; only 32 percent of the World’s population believe in Jesus. This is going to sound BOLD, but I wish it was 100%! Hell wasn’t intended for us; it was intended for the Devil and his demonic angels. Matthew 25:41 says “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (King James Version of the Holy Bible Holman KJV Study Bible 2012). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be on the left-hand side, bound for everlasting fire!

The sad thing is that you just have to BELIEVE in Jesus, that he died on the cross for your sins and accept him into your heart, and your life and repent from your sins. We’re all sinners, but believers are saved by God’s grace because we are sinners, we’re not perfect.

So, ask to be used by God to witness to others and let the Holy Spirit work in you.