Creation or Creator?

If you believe in the big bang theory, then you believe two atoms of nothing rubbed together and created everything you see before you. You believe consciousness came from unconsciousness, life came from non life and order came from chaos, all without a divine intelligence behind it.

Since when have you ever seen chaos return to order without a guiding hand? Your car doesn't clean itself. Nor does your garden throw out its own weeds. If you don’t manage your bank account chaos ensues. None of it comes to order on its own.

Your bias against faith isn't based on reason, evidence or fact but on prejudice. A preconceived impression not sited on cause or experience.

You might possibly think believers are feeble minded people who need fairy tales to get by in this world. You perhaps perceive believers to be intellectually weaker than you.

You claim to follow the evidence yet you ignore the countless brilliant minds today and throughout history who reconcile faith and reason; Newton, Galileo, Plank, Lewis, Copernicus, Swedenborg and countless others. What's more, many of these brilliant minds are Nobel prize winners.

You mock faith and yet show your own religious devotion; a blind faith in your own intellectual authority, your own form of religious dogma. A bias where any who disagrees with you must be cognitively inferior and therefore mocked.

Quantum mechanics has shown reality is far superior than our limited minds can conceive and you ignore the extensive research which shows faith often correlates with higher resilience, stronger community bonds and better health outcomes.

75% of the world's population believe in God. They come from all walks of life and yet you believe your personal view is the only correct view with no room for questioning. 3/4's of the world believe in some sort of God. Biologists, scientists, astrologists, psychologists, physicists, astronomers, chemists, economists; smart people and yes, simple people too.

Many come to God in different ways, although I believe Jesus is the only way, but that’s not my point. My point is: Which takes greater faith; believing in a divine creator, or believing that nothing created everything?

King and Priest. Spirit and Truth.

Just as Melchizedek ministered to the Lord, so too can we, for we too are kings and priests to the Lord Most High.

The Order of Melchizedek refers to a unique priesthood that is different from the Adamic and Levitical priesthood established under the Law of Moses. This concept is primarily explored in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ is described as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who appears briefly in Genesis 14:18-20, where he is described as the King of Salem (later identified as Jerusalem) and a priest of God Most High. He blesses Abram (later Abraham) and receives tithes from him. Melchizedek's priesthood is significant because it predates the Adamic and Levitical priesthood. It is not based on lineage but on righteousness and peace.

Ministering to the Lord in His actual presence involves a deep, personal relationship with God and engaging in activities that honour, worship, and serve Him. Here are some key ways to minister to the Lord:

1. Worship and Praise: This is one of the most direct ways to minister to the Lord. Sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Worship can be both personal and corporate, expressing love, adoration, and reverence for God.

2. Prayer: Spending time in prayer, communicating with God, and listening for His guidance is a powerful way to minister to Him. This includes intercession, thanksgiving, and confession.

3. Reading and Meditating on Scripture: Studying the Bible and reflecting on its teachings allows you to connect with God’s Word and grow in understanding. It’s a way to hear His voice and align your life with His will.

4. Obedience and Holiness: Living a life that is obedient to God’s commandments and striving for holiness is an act of ministering to Him. It shows respect and love for His authority and desire for righteousness.

5. Service to Others: Serving others in love, as Jesus demonstrated, is a way to minister to the Lord. Acts of kindness, compassion, and justice reflect God’s character and extend His love to the world.

6. Gathering with Fellow Believers: Participating in church services, fellowship, and community activities with other believers helps to build up the body of Christ and create an atmosphere of worship and mutual encouragement.

7. Silence and Solitude: Sometimes, simply being still in God’s presence, practicing silence and solitude, can be a profound way to minister to Him. This allows you to rest in His presence and be receptive to His Spirit.

Each of these practices can be adapted to your personal faith journey and spiritual growth. Remember, ministering to the Lord is about building and nurturing a relationship with Him, and it comes from a heart of genuine love and devotion.

The book of Hebrews expands on this idea:

- Hebrews 5:5-6 (NIV): "In the same way, Christ did not take on Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.' And He says in another place, 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"

- Hebrews 7:1-3 (NIV): "This Melchizedek was King of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means 'king of righteousness'; then also, 'king of Salem' which means 'king of peace.' Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever."

Ministering to the Lord as part of the Order of Melchizedek means focusing on righteousness, peace, and a direct relationship with God, rather than being tied to the rituals and lineage of the Adamic and Levitical priesthood. It involves a personal commitment to serving and worshiping God in Spirit and truth, embodying the characteristics of righteousness and peace that Melchizedek represents.

To "worship in Spirit and in truth" is a phrase from John 4:23-24 (NIV), where Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth."

To worship in Spirit and in truth means:

1. In Spirit: Worshiping God with your whole heart, mind, and soul. It's about connecting with God on a spiritual level, beyond mere physical actions or rituals. It involves sincerity, passion, and an inner connection to God through the Holy Spirit.

2. In Truth: Worshiping God with a correct understanding of who He is and what He desires. This involves aligning your worship with the truth revealed in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. It means being genuine and authentic in your worship, avoiding hypocrisy, and ensuring that your worship reflects the true nature of God.

Together, worshiping in Spirit and in truth means engaging in a heartfelt, authentic, and informed worship that honours God and aligns with His will.

In summary, ministering to the Lord in the order of Melchizedek is about a higher, more direct form of priesthood that is based on spiritual principles rather than ritualistic practices. The concept of the Melchizedek priesthood, as described in the book of Hebrews, emphasizes a spiritual and eternal priesthood that is founded on principles of righteousness and peace.

The key points are:

- Righteousness: Living a life that aligns with God's standards of moral and ethical conduct.

- Peace: Embodying and promoting peace, both internally and within the community.

This priesthood is not based on lineage or ritualistic practices, but on a personal commitment to God's will, reflecting the character of Melchizedek, who is described as a "king of righteousness" and "king of peace." Jesus Christ is identified as the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek, serving as the perfect example of this higher priesthood.

So, by following the principles of righteousness and peace, one can minister to the Lord in a manner that aligns with the Melchizedek priesthood. It’s about embodying these values in everyday life and fostering a deep, personal relationship with God.