Quantum entanglement is interesting. How is that for the start of a devotional? This subject has become an interest of mine, though I don’t claim to understand quantum physics very well. I feel as though I am in good company since Niels Bohr, one of history’s leading physicists, claimed that entanglement made his head spin. Now that I have scared you away from reading this devotional, let’s dive in.

Quantum entanglement is one phenomenon among many in the past decade that has scientists baffled. Classical physics is a model of understanding the world that begins to fall apart at the molecular level. The shortest explanation I can offer is as follows: Quantum Entanglement is the reality that two particles that have interacted (become entangled) in some way can no longer be observed without affecting each other, even if they are separated by vast distances. When one particle is observed the other one is affected.

Two pioneering physicists, Einstein and Niels Bohr, disagreed on the reason particles seemed to behave as they did on the quantum level. Einstein theorized that the particles must be infused with some hidden information that allows them to react as they did even though they were separated. Niels Bohr hypothesized that the particles were actually changed by the observer. Bohr believed that the universe is actually, in some way, affected by the observation of it. In 1982 an experiment was finally run that proved that Bohr’s theories were actually more accurate to the situation. In essence, two entangled particles are affected by each other faster than the speed of light, which contradicts the laws of relativity. Since that day, other scientists have postulated theories beyond Bohr’s in an attempt to preserve relativity.

The natural question is, “what does quantum physics have to do with our faith?” Well, quantum physics is a discipline that is currently operating heavily on faith. Scientists are discovering things in the universe that they cannot explain. Things that even break the rules of classical physics. These new discoveries have driven physicists to rethink reality. It has forced them to consider multiple universes, wormholes, and matter being a projection of some unknown force. Some physicists would cringe at the idea that these questions will eventually lead to God, but for others it has opened that door more widely.

Faith in God is a logical and reasonable option to explain the world we observe through science. Scientific pursuit has created as many, if not more, questions than it has answered. Einstein called Bohr’s  view spooky. Some might call resurrection spooky. The fact is, there are strange forces in our universe. Forces that the greatest minds in history cannot explain through observation alone. Does the science point directly to God? I am biased and I believe that science does, and eventually always will, point to God. My propensity to see God’s hands in creation is the same propensity an atheist has to avoid God in creation. At this stage in history, both worldviews demand faith-filled seeking. I have a hunch that faith isn’t going anywhere.

The hard questions of life, theology, and science are meant to drive us forward into a world of discovery. We need not fear. Instead we should continue to seek all the while trusting God to guide our search. This week, let yourself be curious about something. Ask God to teach you something about himself through your learning process.

By Aaron Bjorklund

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20

When I was finally old enough to grasp history, I used to look at my grandparents, all born within 12 years of the beginning of the 20th century, and feel awe. It wasn’t because they were old. it wasn’t because anything they did was spectacular. It was that things had moved so dramatically in their lifetime. A very short list would be: primary modes of transportation went from horse to mechanical; Observing the Earth went from balloon or mountain top to observing it from the Moon.

Speaking of awe and amazement, look at your hand. The complexities contained in just your hand can be mind-blowing! Simple chemicals like carbon, iron, calcium, and others compose the instrument without which our lives would be quite a bit more difficult. The thinking capability, or wisdom, necessary for humankind to move from the beginning of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century is, quite literally, beyond my comprehension. All because God created us this way.

The wonder of God’s creation in humanity, including gaining knowledge and wisdom, is astounding. These abilities have led to innumerable inventions and discoveries. More and more of God’s creation is becoming better understood by the work of people like Francis Collins, a geneticist and leader of the Human Genome Project. He, and many others like him, took their God-created abilities to research human genetics and document the genome. The future this discovery holds has yet to be fully understood, but it boggles the mind how much good can come from it.

If understanding the results of this research interests you, or you want to be filled with wonder at the amazing creation we are, you can visit the Human Genome Project Information site, which is now an archive. As you read the website, let the expansive creation God has wrought in humanity fill you with wonder, awe and worship!

By Rich Obrecht

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

There are many things in our world, our sky, and our universe that defy understanding. When I look at the night sky and see the Milky Way and identify the constellations of Orion, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, I am amazed at their placement, their predictable movement, and their beauty. In April 2019, scientists released pictures of a black hole. Before this year, it was thought black holes were too dark to ever see. As scientists uncover new, vast, and complex mysteries about our universe, they bear witness to a creator God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands,” Psalm 19:1. Being able to see a black hole fires my imagination and inspires me to worship the Lord, its creator.

A few weeks ago, I held my first grandchild for the very first time. When I think of all her body parts, blood, cells, tissues, bones, each hair on her head, each feature on her face, I am amazed at her beauty and perfection. “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place; When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body,” Psalm 139:15. When I see the miracle of my newborn granddaughter, when I hold her in my arms, I’m compelled to respond with thanksgiving and to worship God, her creator.

The human body, the process of photosynthesis, the water cycle, the life cycle of plants, all point to a God who designed and created these complex systems. As we discover more about our intricate universe this knowledge directs us toward our God who created our universe, and our world. Look for a scientific discovery, or an unsolved mystery, that captures your imagination. Look into the research, read about it, look for God’s fingerprints within the mystery. Remember, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know it full well.” Psalm 139:14. God made us with intelligence. We are supposed to use it, discover mysteries, and solve problems. Allow scientific discoveries to awaken wonder in your soul, and praise the creator of our incredible world, our complex bodies, and our vast universe.

By Grace Hunter

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:1-4

Who am I? How’d I get here? And Why am I here? The answers to these questions compose a person’s worldview. Let’s take a worldview history journey starting with the wise men, the magi, who traveled from the east to find the King of Kings. Their worldview included studying the mystery of the heavenly bodies and following the event of one unusual star. They came seeking, anticipating discovery and prepared to worship. They were humble.

No person has the whole picture, no person knows it all. Scientific discoveries keep happening.. Many more mysteries are waiting to be discovered. We live in a tension between accepting the latest scientific discoveries and holding on to time-tested, well-established facts. We live in a culture of competition for which ideas will prevail and which worldview will dominate. The great men of science in the Scientific Revolution from 1500-1700 A.D. were also great men of God inspired by the belief humanity was created by an intelligent, rational being. This changed in the 19th century when the idea of natural selection emerged. So many new discoveries in the 21st century keep pointing to a Creator God and back to intelligent design. Science keeps on changing. People still need to be willing to investigate and humbly embrace discovery and the mysteries of the universe.

The intersection on the highway of worldviews competes fiercely for our choice of a path. With humility, research your beliefs to follow them to their conclusions. Do they match what God’s inspired word says? There is more evidence to believe in God than not. Don’t be afraid to follow the evidence to see where it leads you. Anticipate discovering and be prepared to see Jesus face to face. He is everywhere in his creation, waiting to meet you. As you reflect on your worldview journey, enjoy the pictures and listen to Chris Tomlin’s Indescribable.

By Donna Burns

Go deep into Scripture with a video-guided exploration of this week’s sermon text. In order to watch this week’s text walkthrough video, click the button below:

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

I used to think I wasn’t creative. Probably because I thought you had to be an artist to be considered creative. Now, almost eight years into being a mom, I’ve realized that yes, yes I am creative. In fact, creativity, I’ve come to believe, is a necessity for the sane mama’s tool kit.

I don’t think any other child has helped grow my creativity more than my third. My wild child: Lucy Katherine. She lives on her own planet. One that is filled with dreams and adventures and fun. Here are some ways my creativity muscle has been stretched in recent weeks: making up imaginary friends who will beat my child (yes, child #3) to the bathroom if she doesn’t get there first, choosing my words and attitude in the face of a raging tantrum, and pretending folded piles of clothes are animal skins that need to be quickly stored in our cave (dresser drawers) before the hunter finds us!

I was thinking today how our God is a creative God. We haven’t even tapped the edges of His creation. His canvas is vast and His imagination unending. When I tell myself I’m not creative I’m essentially calling God a liar. He made me in His image. I am not Him but I am like Him. I have qualities like His. And I can lean into those God-given moments of creativity and think-on-my-feet mom improvisation today. And I can praise Him for a mind that can imagine, create and enjoy!

Do you think of yourself as creative? Where can you press into creativity today? Look for unconventional ways God has placed his creative/creating image in you today. Enjoy and create! Just as he does.

By Ellen Rosenberger

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:6-13

Imagine David during this process. He’s been told to shepherd the sheep, which he does really well. David defended those sheep in his possession against bears and lions. He loves his sheep, and he’s not slacking in his responsibility. As he’s watching and leading his sheep from one pasture to the next, from one watering hole to the next, someone comes bounding over the fields, telling him to go to his dad’s house. I’m thinking whomever that was stayed and took care of the sheep, and must have been trustworthy in the eyes of David, else he wouldn’t have left.

Some famous prophet has come to his dad’s house, with a heifer to sacrifice and eat, without really divulging what he was looking for. When David enters the home, I can see Samuel’s eyes fix on him, and we read of God telling him to anoint David king of Israel. After reviewing all the older brothers, their handsome visage and features, this youngest of them all is God’s choice.

David was a great shepherd to his flock. David defended this flock with his life, taking lions and bears by the beard (1 Samuel 17:34-36) and slaying them in order to save a lamb from death. He dearly loved his flock, and took this responsibility very seriously. But now, it seemed it was time for him to step away from this flock for another. He was to become king of Israel. He was to lead a larger flock, with love and dedication similar to what he demonstrated with his dad’s flock of sheep.

In this moment, I’m certain that David couldn’t figure out why God would choose him over someone else (like his brothers) to take on this task. I’m also certain that his family couldn’t figure it out. But, his faith in God determined his path. He trusted. He listened. He heard. God’s call came in a manner unexpected by all, but it came nonetheless. And David trusted. I almost never know why God does things the way he does. But, I’ve been on this journey long enough to know that God knows. His path, whether full of rocks or not, is always best. Our souls need the honing he provides. As we and others are called, sometimes in ways we’d rather not see, trust in the Lord. God knows what he’s trying to accomplish. If you feel the Lord calling you into something that seems hard or difficult, step into it. Trust.

By Rich Obrecht

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.  Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live. 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.” Isaiah 55:2b-3a, 6-13

My husband and I just spent 4 days drinking in the beauty of God’s creation in Utah and Colorado. We saw the desert blooming and the mountains covered in green grass. The high mountain peaks were pristine with fresh snow and the vistas were incredibly beautiful.

Spending time in God’s glorious creation, taking time to see the cactus blooming, watching the birds soar on the thermals, appreciating the incredible formations made of rock, sand and water, cause me to give thanks to God. I praise him for the beauty and for making me able to appreciate it.

We saw how the rain and snow this winter has provided for the plants, making the desert “bud and flourish.” Creation gives us a picture of how God provides; he provides for us as well. Take a walk this week, look around your neighborhood, or go to a park or into the mountains. Observe the green grass, the blooming trees, bushes and flowers. Give thanks to God for his provision of moisture this past winter. Let your soul delight in the beauty of spring. Then look at your own life. What can you thank God for? How has God provided for you when you were in need? Remember God’s word, “will accomplish what I (God) desire and achieve the purpose for which I (God) sent it.”

By Grace Hunter

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?  For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

The women’s morning Bible study here at South studied Corinthians beginning in January. It was a great study and I was encouraged by the take-aways God gave me. Then a month later, ouch, God gave me opportunity to apply them! Does he ever do that to you? Events in the Apostle Paul’s life hit me in a new way. He kept on giving love and grace in spite of the grief and trials he experienced. He kept on giving his best and doing what most benefited those in the church following Christ. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you, 2 Corinthians 6:11. Paul entered the mess with grace and truth. That is what I am having to do. In what ways might God be opening your heart with grace?

Sam Allberry, a speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries wrote in an article titled, Only messy people allowed: today’s culture of Grace: “No one is too low, too far gone, too needy—too anything—to worry about not fitting in around here. Our testimony is not “I was a mess, then Jesus showed up, and now I’ve got everything together,” but “I was a mess—and I still am—but I’m a mess who belongs to Jesus, a mess he is committed to sorting out. He came to me, has stuck with me, and continues to be my all in all.”

We are all recipients of this kind of grace from Jesus and we all need to give Jesus’ grace to each other to keep growing and changing. Jesus’ grace has saved us not just from sin but from death. He gives us a new life, a new plan for living. We can say with John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world—but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” Listen to the heart message and amazing grace in this song, My Story by Big Daddy Weave.

By Donna Burns

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?

Psalm 13:1

The psalms are a collection of songs and poems that have touched people for thousands of years. There are favorites that people turn to in many seasons of life and then there are other psalms that are less popular because they sound vengeful or extreme, called imprecatory psalms. I’ve long wrestled with the value of those Psalms. In these texts, the author begs God to violently destroy their enemies. What do we do with texts like that in scripture? Should we be praying prayers like that?

Not long ago, someone sent me a short video clip that not only explained how we might read imprecatory Psalms but also explained how the Psalms can serve the human soul in general. I encourage you to watch the video here.

The psalms are not texts meant to demonstrate how we should feel about the world around us. Instead, the Psalms are texts that teach us what to do with our feelings when we feel them. The safest place to express the extremes of all our emotions is to God. God can handle our emotional world. If we are angry, sad, confused, or joyful we must learn from the Psalms and express the full range of our emotions to our good Father.

This week, try praying more fully from the heart. God is not surprised by how you are feeling. Tell him when things are hard and tell him when things are good. Cultivate a more conversational prayer life with God. He is the safest place to process the world of human emotion.

By Aaron Bjorklund