North Bend Church of Christ - Discussion Forum: "TURN TO GOD" by Norm Russell

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North Bend Church of Christ » The Church of Christ » Devotionals From All Over

"TURN TO GOD" by Norm Russell

Website Management
#1

Posted on 08/25/2020 11:14

Administrator

Posts: 15
Joined: 04/28/2016 08:00

Turn To God - Sunday Bulletin 3-15-15

There are numerous people who provide a service for those wishing to know what the future holds for them. Palm readers, Tarot cards, some who claim to communicate with the dead, and on it goes. We might remember that king Saul had gone to the witch of Endor and asked her to call up Samuel, I Samuel 28. All this in direct violation of God's law regarding such a practice (Leviticus 19:31). You can rest assured God is still against this practice. It really does not matter if someone could call up
the dead or communicate in some way with those in the spirit world, it is still not to be a part of a child of God's life.

In Isaiah 8:18-22, God has promised a remnant would return to the promised land. He says in verse 18, "When they say to you consult the mediums and the spiritualists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?" In Israel's day, the people of God were steeped in idolatry. God eventually brought Assyria and Babylon to chastise them for their sins.

Notice especially the words, "Should not a people consult their God"? Why is it Israel could never seem to learn their lesson regarding the practice of turning to something other than God? Idols could neither see, speak, hear, or smell. They could not come to the aid of those who worshiped them. They were a product of human effort. They became worshipers of stone and wood.

Sometimes living in America has its drawbacks. We live in a land of plenty, we have learned if we simply put out enough effort we can solve all of our problems. If we cannot do it ourselves, we know where to go and there is no hesitation on our part. Where is God in all of this?

For the past several decades, the church who relied on God and His word to lead us, seems to have turned to something or someone to aid us on our journey. We turn to God when difficulties arise, but only after we have made every attempt to solve it on our own. Thus "All we have left is prayer." becomes our mantra.

God wants to be our first line of defense, our first responder when we need guidance and comfort. Thiswill take place when we make prayer our first act when problems arise. When we get into the habit of calling on God, then we will find answers that address the matter in a more Biblically based way, and our faith in God increases.

-- Norm Russell, 3/15/15
.
---Posted for the author by:
Mark R. Magill
Webmaster

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"TURN TO GOD" by Norm Russell
Website Management	#1 Posted on 08/25/2020 11:14
Administrator Posts: 15 Joined: 04/28/2016 08:00	Turn To God - Sunday Bulletin 3-15-15 There are numerous people who provide a service for those wishing to know what the future holds for them. Palm readers, Tarot cards, some who claim to communicate with the dead, and on it goes. We might remember that king Saul had gone to the witch of Endor and asked her to call up Samuel, I Samuel 28. All this in direct violation of God's law regarding such a practice (Leviticus 19:31). You can rest assured God is still against this practice. It really does not matter if someone could call up the dead or communicate in some way with those in the spirit world, it is still not to be a part of a child of God's life. In Isaiah 8:18-22, God has promised a remnant would return to the promised land. He says in verse 18, "When they say to you consult the mediums and the spiritualists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?" In Israel's day, the people of God were steeped in idolatry. God eventually brought Assyria and Babylon to chastise them for their sins. Notice especially the words, "Should not a people consult their God"? Why is it Israel could never seem to learn their lesson regarding the practice of turning to something other than God? Idols could neither see, speak, hear, or smell. They could not come to the aid of those who worshiped them. They were a product of human effort. They became worshipers of stone and wood. Sometimes living in America has its drawbacks. We live in a land of plenty, we have learned if we simply put out enough effort we can solve all of our problems. If we cannot do it ourselves, we know where to go and there is no hesitation on our part. Where is God in all of this? For the past several decades, the church who relied on God and His word to lead us, seems to have turned to something or someone to aid us on our journey. We turn to God when difficulties arise, but only after we have made every attempt to solve it on our own. Thus "All we have left is prayer." becomes our mantra. God wants to be our first line of defense, our first responder when we need guidance and comfort. Thiswill take place when we make prayer our first act when problems arise. When we get into the habit of calling on God, then we will find answers that address the matter in a more Biblically based way, and our faith in God increases. -- Norm Russell, 3/15/15 . ---Posted for the author by: Mark R. Magill Webmaster