Deuteronomy 18:10-13
Don’t sacrifice your son or
daughter. And don’t try to use any kind of magic or witchcraft to tell
fortunes or to cast spells or to talk with spirits of the dead.
The
Lord is disgusted with anyone who does these things, and that’s why he
will help you destroy the nations that are in the land. Never be guilty
of doing any of these disgusting things!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The
media is buzzing over what was apparently false news reporting by NBC
Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, who has admitted that he exaggerated
his involvement in an incident in 2003 that involved military
helicopters and soldiers he accompanied during the opening weeks of the
war in Iraq. If you are like a lot of people, you’ve been a little
disappointed – and surprised – by this disclosure. After all, we
“welcome” these news anchors into our homes each evening – and let’s be
honest – we make them “like family” and trust them to deliver the news
with integrity and accuracy.
We ought to know better, but it’s
human nature to want to believe these people. And it’s no different for
many who desperately want to hear a “medium” tell them that their mother
or father is “stepping forward with a message” from beyond. Who
wouldn’t like to think that their dearly departed loved one is standing
beside them saying, “Everything is okay.” When these people who claim
to hear from “Spirit”, ask a few questions and seem to divulge
information that only you could know, some are convinced that they truly
are hearing from those on “the other side”.
Many of us have
attached significance to rituals and practices of the church that
erroneously elevate these to a level that God did not ordain. God is no
more present at the altar of your church sanctuary than in your home,
your car, or at your favorite fishing hole. The act of giving up
something for Lent or fasting doesn’t necessarily make one more holy –
or even draw you closer to God. These are not bad – or wrong –
practices. But we must carefully examine our motives and the context
and make sure that we are not seeking God in something because it makes
us feel good about our faith.
When we fully unpack all of this,
we see that the pervading desire is to draw closer to God…to find Him
and hear from Him in a personal, significant way. And we don’t need
witchcraft, sacrifices, rituals or communication with the dead to
accomplish this. We’ve made so much of our faith into something that is
not what God planned…so it’s no wonder that we have trouble finding
Him!
The time has come for us to simplify…to reduce the “white
noise” and outside voices…and truly spend some time in the still and
quiet of God’s presence. Make the effort – and for many,
it will be just that – to shut out the world for a few minutes and just
“be” with God. Open your Bible and let God’s word speak to you – the
Psalms are a great place to begin. Start a dialog with God…simply say,
“Come Holy Spirit”…and invite Him to commence the conversation. Even if
your mind wanders at first, direct your attention back to God and this
quiet moment, and learn to connect with Him in a new and profound way.
Many
of us are looking for truth in all the wrong places…the news media,
friends and acquaintances, celebrities, elected officials, and even
church leaders. While a lot of these folks truly are “good” people…even
faith-filled Christians…they are all human – and imperfect. God is
calling us to count on Him as our compass…not the world. He is ready,
willing and more than able to meet us right where we are, but we have to
give Him our full attention and devotion. Are you seeking His will and
His word? Are you looking in the right places for God? Isn’t it time
you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label consulting mediums and psychics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consulting mediums and psychics. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 9, 2012
Isaiah 8:19-22
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?
Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I will admit that I have watched the television show Long Island Medium. I’ve seen shows where the popular medium John Edwards has talked to spirits in the audience... given someone a message from a dear departed relative… or told someone something that they claimed “nobody else could have possibly known!” While I remain skeptical about such things… and this scripture passage suggests that we should not dabble in these practices, I cannot speak for others and how it makes them feel. I know that some people believe in this strongly… and some who have had a “reading” felt it was real – and comforting.
The thing is, we look to all sorts of people and things to make us feel better, when what we really need to do is consult our Bible and spend some time in prayer. With the Internet, you can type virtually any word in the search box for GOOGLE or many other search engines and find scripture to support you. For instance, type “scriptures on worry” and see what results you get. Enter “scriptures on addiction,” or “scriptures on sibling rivalry… debt…or illness” and you will find plenty of passages that address your exact need. Read the Proverbs and Psalms for guidance, wisdom, and comfort. And talk to God. See what He tells you and shows you. I guarantee that His answers will be truer and more comforting than any you can get from a psychic or anyone else who tells you they can help you get rich quick, make you a “better you,” or solve your problems!
We waste a lot of time and energy looking for answers in the wrong places. Isn’t it time to put aside such foolishness and turn to the One who can really help? Today is a great day to turn the corner. Look to God for answers, and start operating in his wisdom and peace!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?
Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I will admit that I have watched the television show Long Island Medium. I’ve seen shows where the popular medium John Edwards has talked to spirits in the audience... given someone a message from a dear departed relative… or told someone something that they claimed “nobody else could have possibly known!” While I remain skeptical about such things… and this scripture passage suggests that we should not dabble in these practices, I cannot speak for others and how it makes them feel. I know that some people believe in this strongly… and some who have had a “reading” felt it was real – and comforting.
The thing is, we look to all sorts of people and things to make us feel better, when what we really need to do is consult our Bible and spend some time in prayer. With the Internet, you can type virtually any word in the search box for GOOGLE or many other search engines and find scripture to support you. For instance, type “scriptures on worry” and see what results you get. Enter “scriptures on addiction,” or “scriptures on sibling rivalry… debt…or illness” and you will find plenty of passages that address your exact need. Read the Proverbs and Psalms for guidance, wisdom, and comfort. And talk to God. See what He tells you and shows you. I guarantee that His answers will be truer and more comforting than any you can get from a psychic or anyone else who tells you they can help you get rich quick, make you a “better you,” or solve your problems!
We waste a lot of time and energy looking for answers in the wrong places. Isn’t it time to put aside such foolishness and turn to the One who can really help? Today is a great day to turn the corner. Look to God for answers, and start operating in his wisdom and peace!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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