Tag: Horoscopes

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Afraid to ask?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭43‬b-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are so many hard things to understand throughout the scriptures. I am constantly reminded that God’s ways and thoughts are above mine. Meaning, my lens will be blurred until Jesus clears it in heaven. But even then, God will still forever be beyond our thoughts.

The irony of Luke’s observations are worth noting, when we may ponder, “why couldn’t the disciples just see it!” Luke writes, “While everyone was marveling…” Miracles were happening all around them. The amazing outdoor picnic where Jesus feeds 5000 families. The mountaintop chat with Moses and Elijah. The expulsion of a demon out of a child. The disciples minds were constantly being blown away in awe and wonder. Luke writes, at the “megaleios,” majesty of God!

Then Jesus tells them, “I’m going to be betrayed and handed over.” Like falling down a flight of stairs, looking up and wondering how you’re still alive – the disciples minds were instantly tied into tiny knots! What just happened? What changed? And, why now? They had no idea what Jesus was talking about. Their lives, their future now clear as mud.

Luke remarked, “it was purposely “parakaluptó” veiled.” This tumultuous twister of events, these whiplash moments left them “phobeó” full of fear. Have you felt frozen by the chaotic changes around you? This fear left them unable to ask Jesus, “what are you talking about… what is happening right now?” Fear of uncertainty is paralyzing. And we desperately want to ask the questions of clarity! Yet, we don’t know what, who or how to ask. We’re stuck and it’s painfully debilitating. What do we do when we are stuck, afraid and uncertain?

Our only choice is to focus on what we do know and move our hearts towards trusting God who knows all. When we can’t see, don’t understand and feel trapped by fear, it’s not questions that will help us, it’s declaration of who will help us. Sure, we can and should ask God, ask trusted friends and family. But it is likely there will not be any clear answers because of the way things have to unfold. Jesus told them he was going to die. But the how, when, where and who would have to wait within the sequence of time that God had ordained to take place. From our perspective, our lens, things will not make any sense! Oh, what strange fantasies take place when folks try to explain the unexplainable of the future! The only smart choice is not to guess, worry or stay frozen in fear, but to trust and obey God who knows all things and makes all things work out well.

The disciples, staying close to Jesus, found out what God was up to as He unfolded the events just as they needed to be. I think most folks think they want to know their future. It’s sad to see people dabble in darkness with palm readers, seances, tea leaves, horoscopes and wiccan practices. God has definitely shown some people their future, but I’ve seen it drive em a little crazy still not knowing the details. I knew what God called me to as a teenager, but there was no way that alone was going to predict the different assignments within that calling that God had for me. Honestly… I’m glad He didn’t show me! God knows, so it means I need to stay close to Him no matter what. This makes Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 so powerful in times of chaos, confusion or conflict. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Prayer

​Dad,
This whole dynamic of wanting to know, wanting to understand and make sense out of the things that happen in life compared to trusting you is tough. You created us to be solvers and fixers so it comes with this tension. I’m pretty sure it all has to do with faith. Trusting you above and beyond what we see, feel or experience. I also know that sin plays a huge role in our fears and doubts. Your redemption means that we can have Your peace even in difficult times of waiting or silence. Thank you for your mercy and patience as we learn to depend on you.

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The truth about God’s prescience.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Knowing what’s going to happen before it happens is almost impossible for humans to handle! It screws with our heads and makes us a little crazy. God does not get emotional, arrogant or narcissistic about power and prescience (foreknowledge). This makes truth rather harsh doesn’t it? When ya know ya know.

God told Moses plenty about His ways and His plans for the people of Israel. His promises are true but also trustworthy. We’re the ones that have hard time hearing about the future, especially when it comes to our own future. We ache to know, but do we really need to know? I think faith is far better than knowledge about the future. It is totally evident that humans crave, if not obsess with knowledge about their own future. Just look at the fascination with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, tea leaf readings, zodiac, astrological signs and palm readings. Most are all cheap tricks and cons, but it’s the ones that infused with lies from Satan that rattle me.

Here in Exodus, God tells Moses straight out… Go to the land I promised! I have given it to you. And, I will send an angel to clear out the wicked, ungodly cultures and people groups. Moses – get them to the land that flows with milk & honey (representing the joys of an easy life). You collect things like milk and honey, you don’t toil by planting and harvesting this stuff!

God drops in these words, “I’m not traveling with you.” Whoa. I won’t say that God needed some distance from the current and future nonsense the people would get themselves into – flirting with other gods, whining and complaining about how terrible life is as a FREE nation and constantly wanting more. God just lays out the prescience truth – you’re stubborn and rebellious! And the likelihood is that God would destroy them before reaching their promised destination. Ouch. You can’t tell me when we read this we’re not a little offended because Israel is US. Israel represents the best of humanity and it’s still awful. If you can’t see stubbornness and rebelliousness in your own heart, I’m sorry but you’re blind to the truth. Until humanity gets to the promised Messiah, when Jesus mitigates and eradicates sin on our behalf, we’d have to admit – THIS IS US! God in his wisdom told Moses it’s better that I don’t walk with you along the way. God doesn’t just know information about us, God KNOWS every detail of our heart and soul – nothing is hidden from him. Am I grateful that God now sees me through the work of Jesus on the cross, dying, paying for my sin? Of course I am! But there’s not a moment that goes by that I don’t see my little devious, sneaky little disordered desires trying to rule and ruin my life every single day. And that’s sans the Devil “making” me do stuff.

Personally I like God’s straightforward truth. I don’t like people lying to me or shading, bending or softening the truth. God knows because He sees all of time from beginning to end as forever NOW. It’s all current and present for God. So, the truth is, God knows our sin and still loves us! God knows our stubbornness and His mercy is extended to us. God even says our faith in the work of Jesus parlays into righteousness! Wow. I like God knowing and I like NOT knowing about the future. I trust completely trust Him with my life, whatever may come.

Prayer

​Dad,
Oh I’ve been curious about my future, especially when I was young. But now that I’m old and have made quite a few mistakes and missteps, I choose to just relax and trust you with your plans for my life. I’ll still make plans of my own, but it’s with full confidence that you will direct my foot to exactly the place on the path where I need to be. Thank for your grace and mercy, even in my past impatience.