Did you know that many professing Christians think it's ok to read Horoscopes!?

God is insterested in CHANGE in your life as it pertains to living by Faith versus living by Astrology!

Having said that , I would like to address something in most you all's response. But before I do, If you are "not" a disciplined reader of your bible, then what I have to say may not be important to you. Having said that, I hope to the Lord, it is though!!!

Some of You made a statement about weather vs horoscopes. You asked whats the difference between weather monitoring and horoscope reading!?

Well for one thing, there is no grievience or sin in listiening to the weather which is a scientific reading of the future coming days or turn of events of weather (consequently, one would adjust accordingly his/her schedule subject to good or bad weather that is forth coming) and I agree with you in that regard. In addidtion, there is no scripture that prohibits the scientific prediction of weather. REASON: Even you and I can go outside and feel or see (with our own eyes) bad or good weather is about to happen with some bit of accuracy, then there is no need to have to rely on God or diety or some spiritual form of craft. However, calculatiing or montitoring weather is science. The difference between the comon man and the scientist is this, the scientist invented equipment to better calculate the accuarcy to predict weather (but keep in mind, that they TOO are not always accurate!). Also this is NOT spiritual manipulation (to become informed by way of diety or spiritual craft) to know the future of weather. It is science.

But there is a distinct difference in horoscope reading!!? This is relying on the stars or attempting to know the future of your life outside of God's devine input!!! And This is sin!

It is also, a form of withcraft and God strictly prohibits this activity for christians!!! Even in the times of old, HE said it is an abomination for the Hebrews to do as other nations did (calculation of the good or bad of thier lives, according to the stars). This type of conduct sheds light on an entirely different behavior as it pertains to a christian serving God (emphasis....... serving God).

You see brothers and sisters, when you use horoscopes to look into your future (whether you want to admit it or not) you are demonstrating that you put your faith in the stars and value of its renderings and IT'S RELIANCE "higher" than that of God (this is also IDOLATRY). When a Christian reads horoscopes to plan or determine thier future, or see what the future holds FOR THIER LIFE; they are UTILIZING divination (horoscope reading). A christian is WITHOUT question , to live by FAITH, not by sight - this is God's design: II Cor 5:7. Horoscope reading is an abomination to God.

God plainly said the following:

Thou shalt have no other God before me.... Exodus 20:3

DIVINATION:

The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury (a sign or omen) or alleged supernatural agency (evil spirits); also DIVINATION! With the supposed diviner inspiration (soothsaying by way of printed horoscopes); this is divination!!!

Deuteronomy 18:10-14

10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.

14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Also see: Ezekiel 12:24

Deuteronomy 18:11

Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

Acts 16:16

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

(6) Wizardry: The art, skill or practice of a sorcerer or magician; witchcraft; sorcery. Yidde’oniy (Hebrew)—a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by implication) a ghost; wizard.

Observing Times:

The practice of foretelling by indications, omens, signs, etc.; astrology; charting horoscopes. Anan (Hebrew)—to cover; to cloud over, to act covertly, i.e. practice magic, enchanter, observer of times, soothsayer, sorcerer!

Astrology & Star Gazing:

The practice of divination by studying the positions and aspects of heavenly bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of human affairs. Ashshaph (Hebrew)—astrologer: to lisp, i.e. practice enchantment; a conjurer. Habar (Hebrew) to be a horoscopist—astrologer. Chozeh (Hebrew)—a gazer on the stars.

Jeremiah 10:2

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Also see Matthew 24:24

And finally:

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie,:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Brothers and Sisters of Christ:

If you really are a christian as you say, then I know you love God. However, to love HIM, is to keep HIS statutes. See what Jesus said: St. John 14:15. HIS statutes include the puting away of horoschopes and Divination.

I would like to also add that "the Gospel" also requires the disciple lifestyle. Never did Christ ever present a Gospel that did not require a demonstration (of our appreciation) of the Lord's payment for redemption of man "back" to God the Father. And that requirement is the keeping of HIS statutes and HIS commandements... Jesus also said: "If you Love ME, keep my commandements" John 14:15!

And this is really where the rubber meets the road so to speak! Read I Tim 4:1. The USA has fallen to serious delusion in the Pulpits (even some of the main stream mega ministries) (for example: Some of these main stream ministry's don't even preach the Gospel, but merely a candy coated PMA message designed at Life enhancement but not the Blood redemption of Jesus). This type of spiritism or doctrine all accross America has become a serious issue and is due to the deluting impact of sin being desensitized in a christian's life (when he/she disobeys God). This causes world wisdom and concepts to be imbraced versus God's Word! This causes christians (and has for many) to become carnal and vain, loosing thier fire for Jesus!

We must take a stand for Christ , not merely at the angle of convenience that HE is Lord, but we must push and deomonstrate HIS Lordship in our conduct, character and our lives! The word Lord means "owner", we belong to HIM. We in most cases are the closest any one will ever read or see of a bible. This is why Apostle Paul taught us in the New Testament to be a "living Epistle" for Christ: II Cor 3:3

God bless you. And I pray this causes you to obey God and shun horoscope surfing & reading; God bles you my sisters and brothers, amen.

With love in Christ,

Pastor C. Turner III

NHIM Worship Center