PURSUIT OF FORTUNE AND DESTINY

The biblical view of quick riches and foretelling the future

Near my place of work, at lunch hour, I often notice people queuing up to buy lottery tickets. They hope that, with the little that they put down to purchase a ticket, Lady Luck would smile on them. Life on easy street may just be one ticket away.

Meanwhile, others seek the services of fortune tellers and soothsayers to be enlightened about their future and be assured that whatever they undertake will be blessed. Perhaps they also want to know how they can avoid misfortune by observing certain precautions.

In these tumultuous times of economic uncertainty, such practices will definitely become more prevalent. People want a quick fix to ease their worries on two important issues in their life—whether they will have enough money and whether they will have a rosy future. It all boils down to their sense of security—or rather, their insecurity. 

For Christians who desire to please and obey God, it is imperative that we seek to understand the biblical view concerning such practices.

What does the Bible have to say on this issue? It condemns the worship of the false gods of Fortune and Destiny.

But you who forsake the Lord,

Who forget My holy mountain,

Who set a table for Fortune,

And who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny.

(Isaiah 65:11, NASB)

But you who forsake the Lord, who forget and ignore My holy Mount [Zion], who prepare a table for Gad [the Babylonian god of fortune] and who furnish mixed drinks for Meni [the god of destiny]

(Isaiah 65:11, Amplified Bible)

Firstly, our security as believers should rest primarily in God’s providence, not on riches and self-effort (Matthew 6:33, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Proverbs 3:5-7, John 15:7, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Ephesians 3:20, Nehemiah 2:7-8). However, it does not mean we do not plan and work hard. http://bit.ly/NIWat8

Secondly, we should trust in the goodness of a faithful God (Jeremiah 29: 11) and not be so worried about our future that we seek to know our destiny through men who practise divination, which is an abomination in God’s eyes (Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 18:10-14).

                                                                        

FORTUNE

Let’s not to be mesmerised by blessings that we forget to seek the Source of blessings.

The Psalmist enjoins us, “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10). It’s so easy to be bedazzled by the gleam of riches that we lose our heavenly focus.

God is not niggardly. He wants to abundantly bless His children, and often materially as well (Psalms 103:1-5). But wealth is like a two-edged sword. How many people can handle great wealth? Many get mesmerised by the gifts rather than the Giver. Joseph, who became the Prime Minister of Egypt, could handle great wealth for he did not succumb to greed, pride or sexual immorality. But how many modern-day Josephs are there?

Paul also exhorted the rich “not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God … to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

"The same Jesus who promised an abundant life (John 10:10) warns against greed, citing that “a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).

DESTINY

Let’s not be unduly worried about the future for it shows that we do not trust God enough.

God, at times, does reveal what will happen to us in future (John 16:13, Acts 21: 10-11). But, even if He does not speak clearly, we should not run after soothsayers. His Word is a lamp to our feet to guide us along the correct path. Most of the time, it is not a searchlight that illuminates the entire journey of our life for us to see (Psalm 119:105).

Seeking what the future holds for us should not be the primary concern for believers. Instead we should be seeking God for who He is—and entrusting to Him our future, no matter how it may turn out to be (Habakkuk 3:17-19, Hebrews 6:11).  http://bit.ly/19JlmrB

When we are in right relationship with Him, our future is safe in His hands. We may not have full understanding of the things God has planned for us but we know He has our welfare at heart (Jeremiah 29: 11). Just trust and obey.

                                                                     

To conclude, when we worship God, we cannot compromise by presenting sacrifices on the altars of these false gods, Fortune and Destiny. He is a jealous God who hates competition.

                         
Footnote

To my consternation, the pursuit of Fortune and Destiny is not seen only in the world but also among people who consider themselves Christians.

Many years ago, I chanced to visit a church where the pastor was acting like a soothsayer. After the message, the members eagerly lined up to get a “personal word” from above. It was like the church’s version of fortune telling. Every member received a “fortune cookie” from him without fail. And the “word” he gave me was way off the mark. His other “prophecies” were either too general or sounded something like this: “God is going to do new thing”, “God is going to open doors for you”.

However, this does not discount the fact that there are true prophets who tell us God’s secrets concerning the future.

“For the Lord God does nothing

    without revealing his secret

    to his servants the prophets.

(Amos 3:7)

Lest  I give the impression that that there is no place for personal prophecy (or word of knowledge), I would like to set the record straight that I have been personally ministered to on several occasions by visiting speakers who have absolutely no idea about my situation. But, on each occasion, the personal word hit the nail on the head. Once it happened when I needed specific guidance. On another occasion it was a specific confirmation that the ministry I was doing was pleasing to God. There was also a time when I received a gentle rebuke. True prophecy has its rightful place. But, as always, even something good can be abused and counterfeited.  http://bit.ly/1iLgHYe

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RUNNING AFTER PROPHECY

C'mon, this anointed prophet is in town. You needn't be confused anymore when you come to life’s crossroads. Don’t miss the opportunity. Get a personal prophetic word direct from heaven’s throne.

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HOW TO OVERCOME WORRY

As long as we have breath, we are bound to have problems. We worry when our children fail to return home in the wee hours of the morning. We may be anxious about the prospect of being axed due to corporate restructuring. Or we may be overwhelmed as to how we are going to pay our hefty medical bills or fund our children’s tertiary education.

http://bit.ly/1dM42oI

HOW TO ATTAIN FINANCIAL FREEDOM

How biblical principles can help us attain financial freedom

http://bit.ly/NIWat8

DID CHRIST BECOME POOR SO THAT WE CAN BECOME RICH?

Christ became sin so that we might be made righteous, and became a curse so that we might be blessed. As an extension of this exchange principle, can we conclude that Jesus became poor so that we might become rich?

http://bit.ly/1MgZ1lJ

“CHRISTIAN” FORTUNE TELLING

Instead of seeking God, believers want to know their DESTINY instantly … the easy way via TAROT cards. Is this biblical? 

http://pulpitandpen.org/2017/12/19/to-be-edited-bethel-tarot-cards/

HOW TO QUICKLY ACCESS "PORRIDGE"

                                       

For a quick overview: http://bit.ly/1ijiXHp

AGAINST THE ORDER OF NATURE

When it comes to sexual orientation, we are free to choose whatever rainbow we wish—whether it is the rainbow with six colours, symbolic of the gay movement, OR the rainbow that reflects God’s faithfulness to His promise. But, having decided, we cannot choose the consequences of our decision.

                                                                   

Recently, the US Supreme Court passed a ruling to legalise same-sex marriage. The gay movement was jubilant over this verdict. Many who identify themselves as homosexuals celebrated by putting a six-colour rainbow on their Facebook profile as the rainbow is an established symbol of the gay movement. *

                                 Pic: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0                                          

For Christians, however, the rainbow is a symbol of God’s mercy and faithfulness—a seal of His promise that, after the great flood, He will never destroy man in such a massive deluge again. **

Whereas the typical rainbow has seven colours, the rainbow adopted by the gay movement on social media is a six-colour one.

Some say that the gender of one’s sex partner is a matter of personal preference—just like some people relish spicy food while others delight in milder, non-spicy food. Or, using another analogy, some like butter cake while others dread it. God would understand, they argue. After all, isn’t He a God of love? Won’t He accept our choice of sexual partner, even if it is the same sex, as long as everything is done in the name of love between consenting adults?

If Mother Nature had intended us to have same-sex partners, she must have made some serious mistakes along the way.

                                                                         

                                             Pic:AskDrBrown. It is called common sense. It is called the wisdom of Mother Nature.

First, let’s reflect on the wisdom behind Mother Nature’s design of the male and female anatomy. Even if we don’t believe in God, we can observe and learn much. A spontaneous “lock and key mechanism” is activated when a man and a woman engage in sex, not when lesbians have sex. The latter would have to improvise or make use of sex toys to make it happen.

Furthermore, the sexual act between heterosexual partners has the potential of producing offspring, thus completing Mother Nature’s cycle of life where seniors get replaced by the young. However, if male homosexuals were to engage in sex, they would be “firing blanks” for the “receiving end” is unfruitful. 

By the way, isn’t it repulsive and against the order of nature to mix recreational activity and excretory function in the same conduit? Amphibians, reptiles and birds have a common outlet, termed the cloaca (‘sewer’), into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts open. It is not present in placental mammals. Why should man stoop so low to follow members of the animal kingdom lower in the creation order? 

If same-sex partners want to have children, they would have to adopt or employ surrogate mothers, which is not natural and spontaneous. And how could they declare to their friends that their children look like them or are as smart like them? (They may be able to appreciate the genetic input from one of the same-sex partners).

Will their children, whether through adoption or surrogacy, be able to appreciate the tender, loving care of a mother balanced with the discipline and protection of a father, such as can only be found in a traditional family unit? 

For the above reasons, same-sex sexual orientation was clearly not Mother Nature’s intention from the very beginning. It seems that she did not make any mistake at all.

As to whether we are born gay, many of the initial studies, which were highly touted as "proof" for a biological (genetic) basis for homosexuality, have been contradicted later by more thorough studies.

Next, we consider the biblical view of sexuality and sexual orientation.

God created man as male and female with distinctive features and having a natural affinity for the opposite sex. God put in man sexual urges and desires for the opposite sex.

The Bible is clear and unequivocal in its stand on homosexuality: “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Romans 1:26-27).

God condemns such unnatural sex both in the Old and New Testament. He sent fire and brimstone raining down on Sodom because its inhabitants practised sodomy.

The Bible states clearly that there is no provision for any alternative lifestyle for sexual fulfillment apart from a monogamous, heterosexual relationship between a man and a woman who are committed to one another by marriage. http://bit.ly/19dSlGo

Following the landmark court ruling in US, while worshipping in church, the thought crossed my mind that most worship songs highlight God’s love and mercy rather than His justice and righteousness.

It’s typical of human nature to emphasise the love and mercy of God—His willingness to forgive. We tend to downplay His wrath and judgment, forgetting that His harsher side—justice and righteousness—is just as real and significant.

To presume that God loves us whatever our choice of sexual partners—even if they are of the same sex—is dangerous. To think that sexual orientation does not matter as long as everything is done in the name of love between consenting adults is being presumptuous.

God loves us but He will definitely punish those who go against His laws, including those who commit homosexuality.

Why? It’s because the foundation of His throne is built on righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14).

“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

(Exodus 34:6-7)

Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery, unlike the crowd who wanted to stone her. But He also required that she repented of her sinful lifestyle: “Go and sin no more” (John 8: 11).

Jesus is gracious to forgive. But He also demands that whoever He forgives must not willfully continue living in sin.

                                                                          

When it comes to sexual orientation, we are free to choose whatever rainbow we wish—whether it is the rainbow with six colours, symbolic of the gay movement, OR the rainbow that reflects God’s faithfulness to His promise. But, having decided, we cannot choose the consequences of our decision.

                                                                                        
We can choose either to reject or obey God’s laws. But, having done so, we cannot choose the consequences of our decision.

FOOTNOTES

HOMOSEXUALITY: A BALANCED APPROACH

                                                                     

Though the Bible is firm and unequivocal in its stand on homosexuality, how we approach the homosexual as a person is strikingly different. We don't condone the practice as the Bible does not approve of it. But we love the homosexual, putting ourselves in his or her shoes, that he or she has already suffered enough, having to face the pressure from society’s disapproval.

Just as how Jesus dealt with the loose women who crossed His path, we must treat the homosexual with love, compassion, empathy and a non-judgmental attitude. We need to treat sexual sins, such as homosexuality, as if they are non-sexual ones such as greed or lying. God’s forgiveness is equally open to those who commit sexual or non-sexual sins.

                                                                        

* US Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0

**  THE RAINBOW—GOD’S PROMISE NEVER TO DESTROY MAN THROUGH A GLOBAL FLOOD

A rainbow is produced by the refraction and reflection of the sun's light through raindrops. Its appearance shows us that rain has stopped.

After the great flood, God made a covenant with Noah that “never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth."  He then set a rainbow in the sky to symbolise the covenant He made with the Noah and the inhabitants of the earth, even future generations (Genesis 9: 11-13)

Thus the rainbow is the seal of God’s covenant that He will never destroy man through a global flood again (Genesis 9:15).

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Mae West was quoted as saying, “Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution.”

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THE GREAT FALLING AWAY

Believers should not be surprised at all by the great falling away before Jesus returns. Men will become increasingly evil.

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LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS

In the end times that we're now living in, there will be two sharply contrasting scenarios on earth: While tumultuous signs (earthquakes, wars, famine, pestilence) and the evil deeds of man become more and more pronounced, there is a spiritual awakening of unimaginable scale. While ominous portents and man’s evil increase, God’s glory is being revealed more and more.

http://bit.ly/1hu1EA9

EXTERNAL LINKS

IS IT TIME TO EMBRACE GOD’S JUDGMENT?

John Burton believes that the legalization of homosexuality in the USA is the fault of a sleeping, passive American church that refuses to preach uncomfortable, black and white truth. He believes the question at this hour is not whether God should bring judgment to homosexuals or not.

http://www.johnburton.net/2015/06/30/homosexual-normalization-is-it-time-to-embrace-gods-judgment/

RESIST AND REACH OUT

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/43346-the-great-gay-deception