Astrology, Psychics, And The Bible by Paul Smithson (http://www.examiningthescriptures.com/index.htm)
Astrological and psychic predictions are occult practices,
for occults are defined as "various arts and practices pertaining
to things beyond human understanding, mysterious, things not disclosed,
secret." Astrologers profess to foretell the future and interpret
the influence of the heavenly bodies upon the destinies of men.
Psychics are those who profess to be sensitive to that which lies
outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge, predicting
through visions or by the cards. Such occult practices are condemned
throughout the Scriptures.
The fact that people in all walks of life are becoming more and
more involved in such occult practices can be seen all around.
Horoscopes are published in thousands of daily newspapers throughout
our nation. Occult books (books that deal with astrology, psychics,
mysticism, and witchcraft) are on the best sellers list. In newspapers
and on television we see advertisements for psychic advice and
fortune telling concerning such things as your job, romance, money,
important decisions, anything about your life. Things that were
laughed at several years ago are now being taken seriously by
millions of people. Time magazine recently reported a secret program
of the Pentagon that employed psychics in pursuit of the unknown.
"Ten years and $20 million later, the Pentagon discovered
that psychics are unreliable spies" (Time, Dec. 11, '95;
p.48).
Occult practices are idolatrous. When one goes to an astrologer
or a psychic for guidance and insight they are looking in the
wrong place. When one turns to men or the stars for the answers
of life he is trusting in something other than God. Failing to
acknowledge God as the ruling force in one's life is to be guilty
of sinful idolatry (cf. Col. 3:5)
Astrology and psychics attempt to foretell the future. Astrologers
claim if you were born on a certain date, under a particular sign
of the zodiac, certain event will happen. The term "horoscope"
comes from two Greek words, hora- "hour" and skopos-
"watcher." The idea is that the stars and the planets
are the watcher of time and the future, that which determines
the fate of our lives. Some psychics claim that at the turn of
the tarot cards one's future is explained. They claim the star
card means your life is going to begin to shine or that the card
of the three cups means there will soon be rejoicing in your life.
People are curious about the future, but neither the stars nor
a deck of cards can tell you anything about it. God says, "You
do not know what your life will be like tomorrow" (Jas. 4:14).
A danger of occult practices is they shun personal responsibility
and place it upon the stars or the draw of the cards as that which
determines one's fate. The Scriptures teach, however, that men
are personally responsible for their actions and will give an
account for them (2Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7).
Such occult practices are not new. They were very common in ancient
times, but were always condemned by God. "Divination,"
the general term for occult practices in the Old Testament, included
astrology and conjuring and was something God strictly prohibited
His people from participating in (Deut. 18:9-14; 2Kgs. 23:5; Isa.
47:11-14; Jer. 10:1-2).
God did not want His people to have anything to do with occult
practices in ancient times and He does not want His people to
have anything to do with such things today (cf. Ac. 19:19). To
seek after such things and the so-called knowledge that they provide
is to be lead away from God and what He has revealed. The stars
of heaven declare the glory and power of God (Ps. 19:1-4), but
they do not tell the future nor give guidance. The apostle declared,
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy
and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according
to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according
to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily
form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head
over all rule and authority" (Col. 2:8-10). Everything we
need to know for this life and beyond is found in Christ and His
word. It is sinful to look to or trust in anything else than Him
"in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge'
(Col. 2:3).
God's Gifts by Jason Moore (Reprinted from The Southside
Reminder)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us
forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits
of His creatures" (James 1:17-18 NKJV).
God gave you your looks. If God had wished you to look differently,
could He not have made you so? God could have made you a different
color, a different race, or caused you to be born in a different
country or region. He could have changed your height, the color
of your hair, the features of your face, and the proportions of
your body. But He didn't. Out of all the endless possibilities
and combinations, God made you. No one else looks quite like you.
That is by God's design. So, look your best. Your best--not someone
else's best.
God gave you your mind. Minds, like bodies, come in different
dimensions. God could have given you a mind that is larger or
smaller, stronger or weaker, sharper or duller, deeper or shallower,
broader or narrower, quicker or slower, more sophisticated or
simple, more balanced or oblique than the one you possess. The
only unsuitable mind is the mind of a fool. The way to be a fool
is to not use, abuse, or misuse the mind God gave you. So, think
your best.
God gave you your talent. You thought I was going to say, "So
do your best," didn't you? Actually, God gave you your talent
for a special kind of "doing" called serving. God gave
you your gifts to share with everybody else. We are all gifted.
We are not all gifted givers. Gifts kept to yourself spoil. Gifts
given away grow. Gifts given back to God multiply. God gave you
your gifts so that you could use them to serve other persons,
beginning with Him. So, serve your best.
God gave you your family. God could have given you some other
family. Out of all the families that have ever been and ever will
be, God gave you yours. He had a reason for giving you the family
that He did. What reason, you say? For you to love them. So, love
them your best. To do otherwise is to foil His plan in giving
them to you.
God gave you your disadvantages. Not everyone is an athlete. Not
everyone can sing. Not everyone can boast good health. Not everyone
enjoys the same standard of living. But everyone has his or her
own bag of woes. Actually this bag is silver-lined. You will likely
learn more from this sack of miseries than from most advantages
you enjoy. There are some things you can't do. There are some
things you can't have. There are some things you can't be. So
be it. Just, be your best.
One of the Devil's devices since the beginning has been to cause
man and woman to be dissatisfied with their own image. When the
serpent told Eve that the forbidden fruit would make her "like
God," she began to think that God had deprived her in some
way. The fact is that what made her human was already "like
God" since God made man in His own image. To not be satisfied
with your appearance and natural gifts is to not be satisfied
with how God made you and to not be content with the likeness
you bear to Him. God made you in His image. Is that not enough?
If the Devil or someone else doesn't like your natural appearance
and abilities, let him take that up with God. God is satisfied,
or He would have made you some other way.
One of the joys of heaven will be a place where real beauty is
recognized as being the best you that God made you to become.
Rather than waiting for the last chapter of Your story to learn
that, why not remember it from the beginning every time you look
in the mirror.
Short Exhort - Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs (http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
A German motorist, apparently following instructions from his car dashboard satellite-guided navigation system, drove his BMW into the Havel River. Police investigating the mishap say a crucial piece of information was not stored in the satellite-steered navigation system of their BMW. The BMW's map showed the presence of a bridge when it should have indicated a ferry. The satellite accurately indicated the car's precise position, but signaled it could cross on a bridge. Police say the driver placed his complete faith on the electronic system and drove straight into the water.
Let us not be guided by a false or unreliable system, but by God's eternal truth.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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Florida 34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
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MONTHLY BIBLE READING: Aug. and Sept., Leviticus and Numbers
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and
visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com
FINAL THOUGHT (from The Beacon)
U.S. Census data released in May, 2001, revealed that nuclear
families (those with fathers and mothers) fell to less that 25%
of all households in the U.S. - via Does God Exist? 12/01
Matthew 19:6 "What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder."