Lou's Blog

Horoscopes are a counterfeit. They are an attempt to “see into the future,” and can be
grouped with things like palm reading, séances, Ouija boards, tarot cards and the like,
which all fall under the category of divination. Most of these things are made to look
innocent and “harmless” but they fall under the category of being “evil” in God’s Word.
So, I stay away from those things. I’m not interested in horoscopes, even if just for “fun.”
All these things are mentioned in the Bible and are associated with people who turned
their backs on the true God. They followed after these other sources of information and
forsook God. Now, I’m not trying to tell anyone how to live or what they should like and
dislike, what they should do and not do…I’m just saying, this is how I chose to live, even
if others think I’m being silly. It’s interesting that when God’s people were about to take
possession of the promised land, He instructed them to separate themselves from the people
who had been living there before, from their gods and from their worship practices. I think
I’d rather acknowledge the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ in all my ways than any
counterfeit which pales in comparison.
There is a wisdom of this world and there is wisdom from above.

Something that has helped me gain understanding of God’s Word over the years is three basic keys to the Words interpretation. Most of the understanding of what one is reading can be gained right (#1) in the verse where it is written. More understanding can be gained (#2) in the context, and additional light may be added when we look at how something has been (#3) used before. (considering other scriptures regarding the same subject). There are many who believe that when it comes to God’s Word, that it is impossible to know God’s original intent as He first revealed it because the Bible has been tampered with through the years. Yet, in His Word He instructs us to Study to shew yourself approved unto Him as a workman of His Word, who doesn’t need to be ashamed of his workmanship, rightly dividing the word of truth. (See II Timothy 2:15). I believe when a man or woman comes to God’s Word honestly and willing to learn of Him, that God can teach that person. Why would He instruct His children to study and rightly divide His Word if it wasn’t available?
Another thing I’ve seen over the years has been how different individuals approach God’s Word. I can come to the Scriptures with my preconceived ideas and use the Bible to prove what I already believe (because really, you can get the Bible to say almost anything you want it to say by just isolating a Scripture from the rest of the Bible) or I can come to His Word and allow it to speak for itself. I may not understand everything right now but that’s OK. If I stay faithful He will continue to teach me what I need to know. No one has all the answers, only God knows it all. I’ve been reading and studying the Bible for almost 36 years now and there have been times when I’ve learned I was believing wrongly and have had to adjust my thinking to fit with right believing. But after all, God’s Word says of itself that it “…is given by inspiration of God and that it’s profitable for doctrine (the initial teaching of how to believe), reproof (letting us know when we are off the mark) and correction (to get us back to right believing) and all these are instruction in righteousness (see II Timothy 3:16).
Lastly, I think a big key to gaining understanding in God’s Word is putting our eyes on the page…reading it. Read every day, read an allow it to speak to you and you’ll be amazed at the increased understanding you’ll gain in a months time, in a years time and so on.

I decided I was going to make another entry on my blog. At first I was going to talk about something that had bothered me but then upon reading some wonderful truths regarding God and His Son Jesus Christ I realized that I really didn’t have a lot to complain about. As a matter of fact I had a whole lot to be thankful for. Recently I decided to read through the Bible again, from Genesis to Revelation and have been really enjoying the time I get to read. I’ve read about God’s initial provision for man (Adam and Eve). How God had provided for them and put them in an environment that was “very good.” Then how they disobeyed a direct commandment of God and how that act separated man from God, which put Adam and Eve along with the rest of the world, in a very dire state. Which brings to mind the subject of the world’s need for a saviour. Continuing to read from Genesis on it’s exciting to see God’s plan for redemption and how He brought it to pass. How he worked with a man named Abraham, then later with Israel (the man and the nation) to bring about The Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Gospels record the earthly life and ministry of the lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. Not only is he the redeemer that God sent for all of mankind but also as he carried out God’s plan, he brought deliverance and healing to so many while he walked upon the earth. What a wonderful saviour he is for those who want to come to him. The book of Acts records the original outpouring of the gift of holy spirit and the first century church as they lived and spoke God’s Word. Romans through Thessalonians tell those who are born from above about what Jesus Christ has accomplished on their behalf and there is so much more God has revealed for those who want to know. So, when it came to what I should write about this morning, really it was an easy choice to make. What God has done for mankind through Jesus Christ is much more than any problems that come up in my day to day life. What’s more is that those who have been born from above can look forward to a day when Jesus Christ will return and that day when all the problems will be done away with and they will be forever with The Lord. I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:4, 5 and Romans 10:9