The Intelligent Design

It is always bothering for many of us to think why in the whole universe which is vast and empty, only our planet that's very small compared to the universe and other objects like Stars. Is considered to be the most important place in universe?

A slight difference from the Sun, would lead either too cold or too hot that life in this planet would have been a challenge, the percentage of possibility of life this planet compared to all the other objects outside the solar system or the galaxy is mind blowing.

It would have been better if the Bible has given some idea about what is universe all means, the outer planets, galaxies, black hole, stars...etc But it would be as meaningless for us humans, if some of these things are told without the mention of God who has created these, in life some things to be mysterious is better and that gives us an idea about who God can be, it leads us to humble ourselves to this wonderful and amazing things that we cannot even imagine, but one day when we face him we can ask him of why this mystery?

The Bible doesn't have to give the details of everything, but only what is required for us to have faith in God. The Bible which is the God breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit was written by around 40 authors and 66 books.

Psalm 8New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.

For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established [b]strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have [d]ordained;
4 What is man that You [e]take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [f]God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the [g]beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 19King James Version (KJV)

19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 150New King James Version (NKJV)

Let All Things Praise the Lord

Lord

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

There are many ways Apologist use the argument for creation like, the cause and effect theory, Kalam cosmological argument, The Intelligent Designer.

If I give you a book full of pictures, graphs and words, and tell you that these were just random falling from sky that turned to be pictures that gives us shapes, graphs that are by itself to convey a meaning and words that convey a message would you believe that? yet that is the case of many who believe that with our life, which is even more complex than just a book, which is even more wonderful and beautiful, marvelous. as much as the argument for the belief of God, as to why we believe in God naturally there are ways as to show why do not want to submit to an higher authority - God, because of our selfishness and we fear that our freedom of will revoked. But opposite is the case.

The meaning of life, the value of human being, the creation order, everything comes from the Intelligent Design. The morality, the consciousness, etc comes from the law giver - God. We cannot argue that we can live a moral life without the belief in God, because of two reasons. You cannot argue by following certain principles and tell that there needs no starting point for it. Secondly, the physical world has restrictions on the immorality though it makes no sense for the people who do not believe in God to follow such rules and they follow only because of fear of law.

But with God, the moral God giver who gave us the rules of life, laws to live, and abundant Grace through his Son Jesus Christ. First he accounts each and every act that we do, Secondly he gives us chance to repent and Finally there is Judgment. This order and flow of events are made perfect in order and we cannot deny the fact.

If we believe in the Son of God - Jesus Christ he will lead us into understanding his will for our life. Apostle Paul says this:

Ephesians 4:17-24New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Christian’s Walk

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, [a]excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality [b]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn [c]Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old [d]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new [e]self, which [f]in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

How can we rely on scriptures?

God want us to understand his word by both physical(Intellectual) and spiritual(faith). Reasoning as to how could it be possible to have four different Gospels, different letters from Apostle Paul who was not a eye witness of Jesus Christ?

The reliability of the Gospel writers: It is very important to note that for 2 centuries theses letters were observed, thought, inquired and well researched by many people, the fact is, when it was being written it would have even more scrutiny by the people who lived at those times, they wouldn't have accepted the things if it was not happened in the manner as it was written.

Luke for example was not even a eye witness. But he took an inquiry and found all the details of what is written by others about Jesus Christ. The other most important aspect that we need to consider is when these were written. God can supernaturally help the writer to write about a long past, like in case of Pentachute written by Moses, but here God uses his own disciples to record the account of Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

More than any other factors it is the faith in believing that these were the truth takes a very important aspect of believing in Lord Jesus Christ.

John 20:29 ►

Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

A New Perspective

We see Jesus' answers give us different perspectives of life that never hit our thinking hat. When he answered Nicodemus, When he spoke and answered to the Women at the Well. When he spoke, healed the blind from the birth.

For Nicodemus Jesus said, "you shall be born again" giving us an idea about the fact that one who speaks and does the will of God is one who has born again, speaking of people who think they are Godly, but if they are in sin they still hypocritically can speak and act as if they do the God's will, but to enter into the kingdom of God, one has to be born again. Jesus shifts Nicodemus thoughts about these elements and gives him a new perspective about life after death, entering into the kingdom of God. etc

To the Women at the Well, Jesus said, "Go, call your husband and come back."  The women thought "living Waters" are just like the physical water could be carried by a vessel, but Jesus gives us a new perspective that if she wants the "life giving water - Living Water" she has to be holy, she has to be worthy in her spiritual life, Jesus wants her to see that she missed her point when she was not having the right kind of relationships, how can she claim for that "Life giving water"?

John 9 tells us about the man born blind, Jesus gave us a new perspective by healing him, saying he was blind,

John 9:3 NIV
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Leader's relationship

One of the most important aspect of a Christian Leader is to build a strong relationship with the Father - God and with others.

Following what Jesus said about the great command:

Mark 12:30-31New American Standard Bible (NASB)

30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus showed his relationship with the Father and others - Might it be his disciples and other as the one that Leader of all time should follow.

Leaders pass the Torch - On succession planning

Succession planning is about the future, providing the source for inspiration or guidance or the need which the Leader currently or presently was providing to the followers.

Jesus promised eternal life for those who believe in him, Jn 11:26 he also promised that he will be with us till the end - Mat 28:20. But the most significant thing that Jesus did & told about is -
John 16:7 NIV
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:5-15New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Holy Spirit Promised

5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you,sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Jesus is called as Emmanuel - Means "God with us". Mat 1:23



The other aspect of what Jesus did on the cross regarding his disciple and mother is significant,

John 19:26-27New American Standard Bible (NASB)

26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

We can also see many other examples where people who are in Leadership positions failed to provide for the future.
Pilate
Saul in OT
The Rich Fool - from the parable etc.

Proverbs 13:22 (NASB)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his [a]children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.


A good succession planning comes with a cost:

A Leader will have to foresee the future.
Leader should provide for the future.
Leader should value his people only then he can care for his people.

Leaders asks

At one of the most difficult time in Jesus' life, he asks the most important question: "If you are willing". Father's willingness was more important than his "cup" which is suffering.




"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."





Matthew 7:7 NIV
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

So, what shall we ask?

Ask for Wisdom
Ask for Holy Spirit
Ask that Glorifies The Father

Psalm 37:4English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1 John 5:14 NIV
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.



James 4:2-3 (NASB)
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.








Just after Solomon asks for Wisdom, he not only gets it, but also uses it (in case of Judging the women's child.

1 Kings 3:1-15New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Solomon’s Rule Consolidated

3 Then Solomon [a]formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the city of Daviduntil he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lordand the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lorduntil those days.

3 Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon theLord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask whatyou wish Me to give you.”

Solomon’s Prayer

6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in [b]truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have[c]reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [d]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this [e]great people of Yours?”

God’s Answer

10 [f]It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and havenot asked for yourself [g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself[h]discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, bothriches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”

15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Leaders Love

One of the most difficult but the most important thing a Godly Leader should do is instructed by Jesus in Matthew 5.

Jesus brings the law of Moses into a new dimension, no one would have though that a sinner, evil person should be left free, no one though to love enemies, all through out the old testament and the world around it is hate your enemies, love only those who love you and care for you, but Jesus gives us a new dimension into what God really is, Jesus gives the example of how God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, send rain to both righteous and the unrighteous.

A Godly Leader is one who Loves, Love should be the one and only aspect for his actions, if it is not out of love it deviates into many other objectives and the Leader will not only be able to live a Godly life, he also fails to be a Godly Leader.

The first few verses from v.38-42 states that we ought to do the exact opposite of what is expected out of us.

The next verses from v.43-48 also starts with what we have heard i.e the Laws, and to do the exact opposite. Jesus also emphasis on the fact that to be perfect is not by following Laws, but by being like the Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:38-48New American Standard Bible (NASB)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]shirt, let him have your [b]coat also.41 Whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may [d]be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore[e]you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Leaders without Vision

A Leader is one who is able to foresee the future, it is not exactly a picture what the future will be, but with all the facts and numbers he is able to determine and chart the course for the ship to sail through the rough path. The storms and the waves may hit hard, but sailing through the tough times is the heart of what Leadership is. Godly Leaders like Noah, who got the vision that God told him about the rain made him to trust in God that God will save and he will provide a way out of it, Noah did not stop just by believing but acted on what God wanted him to do, building up the ship.

Moses is an other example of a Godly Leader who gave the instructions of law and lead the people of Israel into the promised land, there were difficulties on the way, but what kept these Leaders and many more in the Bible go through? Their trust was with God, God who made them, who put them in such situations and circumstances, who was there with them, who was in them, they were confident about the fact that if they just have Faith and Obey his words they will be saved, and all through the journey he was worshiped and glorified.

God turns everything for good, these little difficulties turns out to be the best possible way to make us, the Leaders and people understand who God is and what he can do for us.

Jesus led the people in the light, darkness blurs the vision, it even blinds the vision. The punishment for sin, death on cross - Jesus had a greater vision than any other Leader through out history of mankind, there will be no Leader like Jesus henceforth.

Jesus warns about those Leaders with out Vision, who says one thing and does the other.
Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

The very reason he asks us to take up the cross, is to lift us up, to see a grander vision that he has for us, not to be condemned, not to be a slave, not to be in darkness. But to help us understand that the end will be the best, that he will be along us bearing our pains and listening to our cries, to bring the best in us, to see the vision that God loves us and he is Love, to bring us to the light, to make us salt of the earth, to redeem us from sin, to glorify his name, to be with him forever. 

Leaders need of the hour

Great Leaders not only overcome the limitations of the place and culture, but also time. Jesus set an example as a Leader who not only transformed the lives of people who lived at his time on earth, but even today people from different parts of the world are inspired by this one and the only Leader - Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said that a Leader should have a attitude like that of a Servant -
John 13:13-15 (NIV)
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus warned about the Leaders/Teachers of this world -
Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB)
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”


Matthew 15:14 NIV
Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

The Self proclaimed Leaders are those who are blind (Spiritually) they don't know who the true God is. So they tend to show the others (followers) way, but ultimately they themselves will fall into the pit. It is very important to know what kind of Leaders we follow.

Jesus - Who is a Leader guides his followers into the path of righteous, truth and freedom. Because he is the "Light" of the world, the one who is the Path, "The Way, Truth and the Life". Rest assured for those who follow him, for those who come to him,

Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.


We look at the world and see how generous God is, who gave us everything. Life, Hope, Health, etc. even before we could ask of him anything, he has given everything, in fact he said, "It is finished" - "Its done", any other Leader would ask first of what we have done for him or for ourselves, or at least what we are going to do. That's very important for life, as to what we have done, what we are going to do, but when it comes to Salvation, Forgiveness, all the things that we can do or done will never compromise God's quality of Life. So, God took the initiative, he not only forgives the Sin, but also gives the direction for the sinner to find a way to live a Godly life, he often gave directions to the people who considered to be sinner, low in society, we could see how he valued such people like the "Women caught in adultery", "Women at the Well", "The blind from birth", "The Leapers" etc.