BiblicalInsights.net

Astrology is a type of divination based on the construction of a horoscope for an exact moment such as a person’s birth.  A horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the sun, moon and planets and sensitive angles at the time of an event such as the moment of one’s birth.  The word horoscope means, “a look at the hours.”
An interesting observation was made by Belinda Luscombe in an article that appeared in Time magazine January 31, 2011.  It was titled, “Zodiac Switcheroo.”  The article stated that Parke Kunkle of the Minnesota Planetarium Society rocked the world of astrology on January 13, 2011, when he revealed that the traditional “star signs” used to determine horoscopes are wrong for most people.  It seems that the astrogogical signs codified by Ptolemy in the second century have changed since then, shifting most people to another sign.  This means that the 25% of Americans who believe in astrology have been reading the wrong horoscopes all of their lives.  Some professional astrologers claim they have always known this, but their followers certainly have not (Belinda Luscombe, “Zodiac Switcheroo,” Time, January 31, 2011 as quoted by Bob Prichard, Oxford, Alabama, House to House, vol. 31, March 24, 2011).
In Job 31:24-28, Job remarks, “If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.”
First, Job refused to trust in gold.  Riches are uncertain and temporal.  Second, he refused to trust in false gods.  False gods are worse than gold.  False gods are nothing whereas, with gold, at least you have the power to purchase something.  Job refuses to trust in either because that misplaced trust would amount to a denial of the one, true, and living God.  Job affirms an uncompromising monotheism.
The sun, moon and stars are not to be worshipped.  They do not shape one’s personality or determine any aspect of one’s life.  But, trust in God relies upon God’s wisdom to guide and lead us to become all that God desires for us to be.  God can and will shape our character and our future.

Greg Ogden in The Essential Commandment relates a story that occurred during the life of the late Senator Robert Kennedy.  During a visit to Brazil, Kennedy was taken to the interior to observe some of the tribal life.  Through an interpreter, he was introduced to a native Brazilian who had been recently converted to Christ.  Kennedy told the interpreter to ask him what he enjoys doing the most.  The native Brazilian’s surprising reply was, “Being occupied with God.”  The senator, expecting the man to say something like fishing or hunting, was convinced that something had been lost in translation.  So, he repeated the question, only to hear the same reply:  “Being occupied with God.” (p. 25). 
What do you enjoy doing most?  What gives you the greatest delight?  These question test our interests and affections.  They probe the heart.  Long ago the Psalmist answered these questions.
First, delight in the LORD.  “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa. 37:4).  The first object of human affections should be God.  The love of devotion to God manifests itself in complete surrender to His purposes for our life. 
Second, delight in the law of the LORD.  “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:1-2).  The law of the LORD is a treasure house of wisdom and instruction.  It is a piece of the mind of God revealed to the hearts of men.  It instructs in the way of righteousness or the pathway to heaven. 
Third, delight in obeying the will of God.  “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psa. 40:8).  It is one thing to know God and His will and quite another to obey it.  Our lives will never experience the complete transformation that God intends unless we obey His will.  God’s will is revealed in His Word.  God’s Word calls us to a life of holiness (I Thess. 4:7).  James exhorts us to “be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). 
What do you enjoy doing the most?  

For too long we have regarded forgiveness with an effeminate virtue of the wishy-washy and weak.  As a result, we crusade with the sword instead of the cross.  Jesus said, “for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matt. 26:52).  We know that there is no lasting progress made without love that cares enough and dares enough to suffer–love that is brave enough to seem slow and soft–love that is not afraid to lay itself down in mercy to redeem.  Forgiveness does redeem.  It redeems us to God and to each other.  While on the cross, Jesus redeemed one of the two thieves who were being crucified along with Him.  The centurion who superintended the crucifixion was overcome with faith and hailed Jesus as the Son of God.  The power of forgiveness has reached forth from the cross and touched untold millions.
The power of forgiveness is manifested in three distinct ways.  First, the act of forgiveness is a demonstration of self-control.  Self-control is a major aspect of forgiveness.  Jesus was goaded to “save himself.”  In Luke 23:35, the scriptures state, “And the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”  Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him in that moment.  However, He exercises self-restraint in the face of such mockery.  This is meekness.  Meekness is strength or power under control.  Jesus exercised self-control in order to speak the words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Second, there is power in forgiveness to chasten and rebuke.  Listen to Paul, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head”  (Rom. 12:20).  There is a power in goodness.  We can overcome evil with good.  Forgiveness taps that power and turns it on one’s enemies.
Third, there is power in forgiveness to strengthen the forgiver himself.  When Jesus prayed for His enemies He beat back the spirits of anger and revenge which try to poison the soul.  “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh” (Prov. 11:17).  “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee” (Prov. 25:21-22).  Forgive and the LORD shall reward thee.  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
Forgiveness has a power all its own.  It blesses twice.  It blesses the one forgiven and it blesses the one who forgives.  Without the spirit of forgiveness, we shall never obtain mercy from God.