LOG LANE COMMUNITY CHURCH WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, September 17, 2006
What the Church Believes - Astrology, Psychics, and Transcendental Meditation

Why should we as Christians oppose astrology and other mystic practices?

Though some advocates of astrology claim their practice is supported by the Bible we believe and teach that God’s Word strongly denounces astrology because of its association with the occult and demonic.

Astrology is not to be confused with astronomy, the science that studies the size, movement, and composition of celestial bodies. Astrology, a pseudo science, claims that stars and other heavenly bodies influence human personality and activity and that the position of celestial bodies at a given time can foretell future events in the lives of people.

Several times in the book of Daniel astrologers are grouped with magicians, sorcerers, and other agents of the occult as being unable through their special powers, to interpret the dream of the king of Babylon. But Daniel, whose “insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom” came from the “most High God,” gave the accurate interpretation [Daniel 5:14, 18, 26-28]. The Bible specifically denounces astrology in other passages. Isaiah speaks derogatorily of “stargazers” or astrologers: “Let you astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predications month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you” [Isa. 47:13]. Of course, they could not, for their inspiration was from another source other than God. Several passages speak of bowing down or worshipping the sun, moon, and stars [Deut. 4:19, 17:2-5; 2 Kings 17:16, 21:3-6; Jer. 8:1,2; Zeph 1: 4-6; Acts 7:42]. Though proponents of astrology today claim that they do not worship the heavenly bodies, but only study and draw conclusions from them, their disclaimer is hollow. Many passages of Scripture denounce occult practices that seek guidance or knowledge through sources other than the God of the Bible [e.g., Deut. 18:9-14 and Lev. 19:31, 20:6]. The word from God is definitive: the practice of astrology and other mystic activity is wrong.

Some have suggested the Magi who sought the baby Jesus were possibly astrologers and have tried to justify astrology on the basis of the Greek word stoicheia in Galatians 4: 3, 9 and Colossians 2:8. However, the basic meaning of stoicheia refers to elements of learning, as we would say, ‘the ABC’s’ It is at least possible that in these passages Paul was warning against falling back into that ABC’s of what the world calls religion.

The term magi was used by the ancient Persians and Babylonians for wise men and priests who did use astrology, but not in its modern form. However, it may be that these Magi were successors of the Chaldean wise man of which Daniel was once chief. They could have known the prophecy of the star given in Numbers 24:17.

“If these Wise Men were indeed astrologers, God must have overruled their ways of thinking, for God in the harshest of terms forbids His people from having anything to do with such defiling practices [Isaiah 47:13; Jeremiah 10:2; Deuteronomy 4:19; cf. Deuteronomy 18:8- 14.]”

[Continued in next weeks bulletin]

Practice Jesus’ Habits
Whitney Hopler

All of us have habits – regularly repeated behaviors that shape our lives, for better or for worse. The best habits are those that Jesus, God incarnate, practiced during His time on Earth. Since He designed life, He knew how to live it most effectively.

You can learn a lot from what Jesus taught, but even more from practicing what He did. The more you devote yourself to emulating Jesus’ habits, the more God will bless you.

Here’s how you can make Jesus’ habits your own:

Practice worship. Focus on encountering God to; praise Him for who He is; thank Him for what He has done; confess your sin; surrender your mind, will, and emotions; offer him your total life; obey what He tells you to do; ask Him to work in your life; tell others of your love for Him; and experience new love for Him and a new commitment to Him.

Practice building relationships. Take the initiative to get to know people well for the purpose of making an impact for Christ as well as meeting your own need for relating to others.

Practice touch. Affirm people in appropriate ways by touching them, such as through a hug, handshake, or pat on the back. Everyday, ask God for the opportunity to touch someone who needs it. Determine to be the hands of Christ wherever you go.

[Continued in next bulletin]

Journey Into Powerful Prayer

We are studying Prayer [or our lack of it] on Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M. This is 45 – 60 minutes once a week for 13 weeks. We know you will be blessed by attending.

Don’t Get Angry, Live Longer

Research suggests that chronic anger is so damaging to the body that it ranks with or even exceeds cigarette smoking, obesity or high fat as a risk factor for early death. Various studies at Duke University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina and others indicate that anger through various hormone production can lead to a host of health damaging problems.

Thank You – le agradezco su ayuda

We appreciate you who support the Log Lane Community Church. We sometimes forget that it is God who supplies every need, through His obedient people. One of the steps to Spiritual Maturity is learning how to give to God’s work. God gave the church to build up His children so they will evangelize the world. Every one is important in this journey to maturity. If we all do our part that is all that God asks. Remember – He is always there and can be reached with just a prayer.