Daily Devotional – December 31

Cosmology

There is an active and vigorous debate amongst creation researchers as to the order of events as God created the entire universe early in creation week. One of the most common questions asked by Christians concerning the age and size of the universe is how light could have reached the Earth in six literal days when the universe is so large. It currently takes light 13 billion years to travel from one side to the other. There are at least four competing models that address this problem, but it is yet to be determined which model most satisfactorily answers all the related observations.

1) According to special relativity, time itself is variable and depends upon the gravitational pull in the vicinity where the passage of time is being measured. Thus, a mere six days could have been passing on earth, while God was expanding the universe and billions of years were passing further out in space.

2) Space itself expanded millions of times faster than the speed of light, allowing plenty of time for light to reach the Earth in a literal six day period.

3) All of the observations of general and special relativity can be mathematically explained by allowing the speed of light to be variable. This would allow light to reach Earth from distant stars in a biblical timeframe.

4) The initial material from which God made the universe was a body of neutrons equal to the mass of the entire universe. This material would naturally expand, forming the stars and all the elements of the universe in a matter of days without the heat and timeframe required by traditional Big Bang cosmology.

Although each of these possible cosmological models has its own set of issues, they are miniscule compared with the enormous issues surrounding the Big Bang cosmology. For instance:

1. The Big Bang does not work without the assumption of an initial expansion rate one hundred trillion trillion times faster than the speed of light (commonly call the “inflation period” of the Big Bang). Nobody has ever observed such an expansion or explained why or how it could happen or what slowed it down. It is just assumed to be true because, without it, the Big Bang does not work.
2. Stars and galaxies cannot form from hydrogen gas and have never been seen to form. Gases expand; they do not coalesce together. So, it is assumed that 95% of all the matter and energy in the universe is a mathematical convenience called “dark matter and dark energy.” This invisible construct has never been observed, measured, nor seen – it is just assumed to exist because without it, the Big Bang does not work.
3. A consequence of the Big Bang is that half of all material created at the beginning should be antimatter. Yet, all matter we see and measure is “real matter.” Thus, experiments show that the processes that supposedly made everything do not match everything we measure and observe. This problem is simply ignored.
4. The most basic observable and testable law of science continuously confirms that matter and energy can never pop into existence. Nothing produces nothing, yet the Big Bang ignores this and has to assume that everything came from nothing.
5. The constants of the universe are PERFECTLY tuned. To explain the universe as it now exists based on a Big Bang explosive expansion requires a total mass that could not be changed by even the weight of a single grain of sand. This is so incredible to researchers that the most common solution amongst cosmologists is to believe we are just one of an infinite number of unobservable universes, and since the number of universes out there is infinite, every possible variation is guaranteed. This nonsense is accepted as science because without believing in this, the Big Bang is untenable.

By leaving God out of their thinking and seeking to become wise without acknowledging God has been involved in creation, modern scientists have become fools.

[They] forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

~ Psalm 78:11

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – December 16

Cosmology

For decades, planetary scientists have claimed that the Earth’s ocean water came from comets colliding with the early Earth. But once they measured the composition of the water on comets, scientists found it did not match the characteristics of ocean water. Thus, this explanation fell upon hard times. What’s an evolutionary cosmologist to do?

The latest attempt to rescue the idea that the Earth made itself violates all rules of logic and science. It is now being proposed that water clung to dust particles as they coalesced to form the Earth approximately 5 billion years ago. Here’s the elephant-in-the-living-room problem with this idea:

• These dust particles circling the Sun would have been heated to between 150 and 1080 degrees Celsius – way above the boiling point of water for millions of years while the planet was coalescing. The water would simply have boiled away!
• It is repeatedly assumed that dust circling the Sun clumped into planetesimals (giving something we don’t understand a long name apparently makes it more believable), and then the planetesimals accreted into planets. Yet, it has never been satisfactorily explained how this process could happen because realistic modeling scenarios indicate the particles are driven apart far faster than they “accrete.”
• One of the researchers stated, “The new results will force scientists to re-evaluate the process of Earth’s formation. Perhaps the team’s absorption model is correct, or perhaps water came to Earth aboard a kind of asteroid that hasn’t yet been found, or no longer exists...”

Notice the faith of these scientists. Their beliefs are not based on testable, reproducible observations of science but in “perhaps stories” and things that “haven’t been found or no longer exist.” For Christians, our faith is in what God has told us, “He created the heavens and the earth.”

And my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

~ Isaiah 48:13

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

Daily Devotional – November 25

Cosmology

What about the Big Bang Theory? The Big Bang Theory says there was absolutely nothing, and then all the energy and matter in the universe appeared as a single point that suddenly explosively expanded. This created hydrogen gas that was flung out and spread throughout the universe. Then, clouds of hydrogen gas pulled themselves together, forming stars. From the stars, the planets were flung out, and you and I were made. Question - Where did the energy come from? How did it get so compressed to form a single point? What caused the explosion? Do explosions make order and design? (Explosions just make big messes.) And what was before the Big Bang? Evolutionists say there was nothing. Do I get something from nothing?

It takes more faith to believe in the Big Bang Theory than to believe there is a God. God clearly told us that He was the One who made the heavens and the Earth – God made them from nothing.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

~ Genesis 1:1

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – November 7

Cosmology

Water on the Moon? Scientists were amazed when they analyzed the Apollo Moon rocks from 1969 -1972 and found water within the rocks. They found a significant amount of water chemically bound up inside these Moon rocks. This puzzles evolutionists because all of their models for the origin of the Moon begin 4.5 billion years ago with molten or unconsolidated material. This material would have boiled off any water, which would have evaporated into space, leaving the Moon “bone dry.”

Yet, we have now documented that deep within the Moon there are significant concentrations of water held within tiny volcanic glass beads. The discovery that the Moon is not waterless, but full of water bound up in the volcanic rock, is a mystery to scientists because it does not fit with their idea of the Moon’s origin. The Bible describes the Moon being created on Day 4, about 6000 years ago. So, finding water within Moon rocks is no surprise to those who believe Scripture.

Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night...the fourth day.

~ Genesis 1:16, 19

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – October 20

Cosmology

Our Sun is remarkably unique. We do not have a run-of-the-mill star that lights our planet, but an exceptionally distinct star. The Sun is in the top 10% by mass as compared to other stars in the neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy. This makes it perfect for sustaining life on Earth. If it were the size of super-giant Betelgeuse (in the constellation of Orion), it would engulf the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars). If it were as bright as Rigel (25,000 times brighter than the sun), it would emit too much radiation. If it were smaller, it would not support life on our Earth. If our sun were in a multi-star system (small group of stars gravitationally bound to each other), it would cause the Earth to experience extreme temperature variations. Most observable stars are part of multi-star systems.

The Sun’s position in the Milky Way galaxy is also perfect. Our Sun is located on the outer edge of one of the spiral arms - far away from common inner galaxy star explosions (supernovae). Our Sun is an exceptionally stable star whereas other single stars of the same size, brightness, and composition have violent ejections called coronal mass ejections about once every 100 years. In 1989, the Sun experienced just one of these superflares - causing a huge disruption of the power grids in northern Quebec. Yet, this was a small superflare as compared to other stars; they produce superflares 100 million times more powerful than the ones that blacked out Quebec. If the Sun ejected such a superflare, the Earth’s ozone layer would be destroyed, and all life on Earth would be wiped out. Our Sun is remarkably unique! Praise the Lord! Because it is so stable, so ideally located, so ideally sized - it is the perfect sun, ideally made by God for us - the crown of His creation.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

~ Psalm 113:3

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – September 7

Cosmology

Why would God make galaxies? We live in the Milky Way galaxy, which contains over 100 billion stars. Our galaxy is disk-shaped with a bulge in the middle. The Earth is located on one of the arms of this spiral galaxy. About 30 of our closest galaxies are grouped into a cluster called “The Local Group.” Another cluster is called the “Virgo cluster,” which has about 2,000 galaxies. Between these clusters of galaxies are voids. It is estimated that there are 100 billion galaxies. But why aren’t stars just randomly dispersed across the universe?

Galaxies have a special purpose. Galaxies are visible from greater distances than a single star could ever be. It is much easier to see a group of stars in a galaxy than one lone star! Take a piece of paper, and draw one star on it. Take another paper, and draw many stars on it. Now walk to the other side of the room. Which is easier to see, one star or a large group of stars? Galaxies allow us to understand the enormous size of the universe and the power of God in a way that single stars evenly dispersed around the universe could not. The heavens do declare the glory of God, but we could never know the vastness and the quantity of the stars in the universe if they were not grouped into galaxies.

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

~ Isaiah 40:26

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – August 6

Cosmology

Step outside on a clear, dark night when there is no moon and see a sweeping band of white across the night sky; it’s the Milky Way galaxy. It looks like someone spilled a bottle of milk as the hazy white area glows, but in reality, it is the light from a vast number of stars.

The night sky is filled with hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with millions to trillions of stars with each star varying in color, size, temperature and brightness; we also find neutron stars, pulsars, and novas (star explosions) along with nebulae in all their splendor. The more we study the universe, the more we are amazed by its immensity, complexity, and beauty.

In the same way, the more we study the Creator God, the more amazing He becomes to us. His power and divine nature are displayed through the things He has made (Romans 1:20). And the things we can observe are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! (Job 26:14).

We should not be surprised at all the incredible things we find in the universe!

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens….

~ Job 26:13a

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – July 27

Cosmology

A recent paper published in The Astronomical Journal looked at the characteristics of 2,000 “exoplanets” orbiting other stars in our galaxy. Then they extended these results mathematically to other stars in other galaxies throughout the universe. They looked at the habitability characteristics of exoplanet/star systems and ranked the planets in terms of their potential habitability. Then they extended their findings to the estimated 700 quintillion or so exoplanets that may exist in our enormous universe to estimate the odds of finding another life suitable, potentially inhabitable planet (such as Earth). So what was the conclusion of their statistical analysis? The Earth is totally unique and statistically the only planet in the entire universe capable of supporting life!

This conclusion was unexpected and totally destroyed evolutionary assumptions. The authors hedged their finding with all sorts of “apologies” for their conclusions. The paper noted that they may be in error because, “With these kinds of massive and highly hypothetical calculations, what might refine the predictions could be further discoveries about the composition and position of more exoplanets.” The researchers admit that their findings, “may need to be taken with a grain of salt.”

But here are the facts.

1. Based on what we now know and observe, in the entire universe, the Earth is the only planet uniquely designed for, and capable of, supporting life.
2. After SETI (the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelliegence) spent almost 50 years of searching through every wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum coming to Earth from every direction in the universe, there is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any intelligent life outside of Earth.

With every scientific observation, God is making the truth about His existence increasingly apparent.

I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

~ Isaiah 45:12

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – July 6

Cosmology

Have you considered our solar system? It has a nice, neat organized structure. Our planets all have stable and relatively round orbits. This structure, prevents planets from colliding with each other. In fact, this design protects Earth from being hit by another large planet. As scientists examine outer space, they are now discovering other planets orbiting other suns. They are finding that many of these exoplanet orbits are so erratic that collisions with other planets are a real possibility. How did our solar system become so organized? Evolution is about chaos and random changes – not design, organization, or systems. Our solar system shows order.

Even the name we give it, the solar “system,” shows we know it is organized. We do not call it the “solar accident,” “solar non-system” or “solar disorder”…but the solar system. Even those who believe in evolutionary processes as the explanation for everything cannot help but use words that signify design and order. Order does not happen by accident and chance. Order means there must be someone who put this into an orderly system, and that orderly solar system-maker is God.

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

~ Isaiah 48:13

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.

Daily Devotional – June 30

Cosmology

A planet that orbits around a star that is not our Sun is called an “exoplanet.” Since the 1990s, NASA has reported the existence of more than 1000 exoplanets. These planets come in a variety of sizes and distances from their suns. None have been found to be the perfect size and distance from its sun to allow life. Should Bible-believing Christians be afraid that finding other planets revolving around stars will prove life could pop up anywhere and God is irrelevant? One should not become confused with finding an earth-sized planet with an earth-like planet. Earth is unique in that it is the perfect distance from the Sun; and has the perfect gravitational pull, the perfect atmospheric gases, and copious amounts of liquid water resulting in the perfect “habitable zone” for life. Just because other planets exist outside our solar system does not mean life is there. Examine our own solar system with its Earth-like planets Venus and Mars. They are the right size and approximately the right distance from the Sun, yet they contain absolutely no life. Our Earth is special! It was designed to be a stable, safe place for people to inhabit. Isaiah 45:18 acknowledges this, “He formed it to be inhabited.” Exoplanets just show God’s power and creativity!

For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

~ Isaiah 45:18

“The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.” – Patrick Henry (1739-1799), Virginia Governor, Declaration of Independence signer, American Founding Father

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

~ 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.