Mixed Messages

Friday, October 14, 2016
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning"1 (Lyrics)

Isaiah 47:13,14b – You have advisors by the ton — your astrologers and stargazers, who try to tell you what the future holds. You'll get no help from them at all. (TLB)

Waiting in line at a local coffee shop, I noticed that the large television screen over the fireplace wasn't advertising their products but showing horoscopes for the day. It wasn't a picture of a donut tempting us with its delicious, shiny topping and creamy filling, but the words of another god.

Every person in the restaurant was idly watching the screen. It was difficult to avert our eyes. The cynics among us waited for our birthday to appear, so that we could have a chuckle. But those words, seen only for a moment, have a strange way of popping into our mind later in the day.

With thousands of locations all across the country, and millions of regular customers day and night, that popular restaurant chain has found a great way to get a message out to all Canadians.

Similarly, when we pick up a newspaper, isn't it strange how the horoscope happens to catch our eye and we can't resist reading it? Of course, it's right next to the crossword puzzle!

We may think that horoscopes are harmless, even fun, but the Bible warns us about trusting anything other than God for the future. In fact, anyone attempting to be a fortune teller is "an object of horror and disgust to the Lord". (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 TLB)

The world's messages can be insidious or downright bold. We can't let our guard down for a moment. So when we reach for our coffee cup or newspaper today, let's keep our eyes on the One who made the stars and the heavens and not on the horoscopes!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Creator of all good things, help us to rely on You for the future, and You alone. May Your Spirit give us self-control, and may we not give in to temptation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

JJ Ollerenshaw <sandjollie86@gmail.com>
Belleville, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen JJ.


    Thank you for reminding us all of this truth.


    Thank you for the daily devotional about Tim Horton.


    Thanks for being bold enough to attack this popular habit.


    Bless you, JJ. Your Devotionals are always insightful and inspiring.


    Amen. Thank you VERY much.
    Blessings.


    I agree 100{8395b6ce96fcf25a14d80edc3b65c36a8995b6c1ba5f8c16ac11d8adaa79f35b} but good luck in getting Tims to change. They also catch you with some news on sports on the TV, at least, at the Tims I go to.


    Thank you for your devotional. You’re right; the Bible is clear about avoiding the occult and yet so many Christians aren’t aware that the Ouija Board or horoscopes are not just for fun, but actually prohibited by God. Blessings.


    Hi JJ,
    What a keen observation on your part. We never look at the horoscope in the paper, but I know that a lot people do. I don’t know if it influences their lives or not but you are right we should not be misled by these wordly writings but depend only on the word of God.
    Thank you fro writing.


    Thank you for this information. The Devil is insidious and we must be on our guard. I deliberately divert my eyes from the horoscope in our newspaper but my husband reads it with humour. Sometimes he reads it to me. It’s always very general but I know people who take it seriously and the taro cards have had a bad effect on the life of a person who is dear to me.
    Thank you again for putting out the word about this new device.
    (B.C.)


    Thank you for your warning and your prayer for Spirit-led self-control.

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