March 12, 2000 Humble Messenger
Humble Messenger
Volume 8, Week 11 March 12,
2000
Building Stronger Faith
Astronomy or Astrology? Bert Thompson
Have you ever noticed how certain words can sound very similar, yet mean entirely
different things? The two words "astronomy" and "astrology" are like
that.
Astronomy is where scientists examine the heavenly bodies. Scientists who are astronomers
study the composition, motion, and position of solar systems, stars, planets, etc.
Astrology is the idea that the Sun, Moon, and planets actually control people's lives.
Astrologers believe they can tell what will happen to people in the future by comparing
things (like the date of their birth) with the arrangement of bodies in the heavens. If
you ever have read a newspaper, you may have seen a "horoscope," which is a
listing of predictions that astrologers make.
Several ancient cultures believed in astrology. Historians have traced astrology to a king
named Sargon who lived around 2350 B.C. About 1700 B.C., Babylonians used astrology as a
part of their worship. Later, about 700 B.C., the Greeks began to use astrology as well.
Eventually, around A.D. 200, even Roman emperors practiced astrology.
If a person believes in God and wants to obey His word, can he or she believe in (or
practice) astrology? No! First, the Bible teaches very clearly against astrology. Read
Deuteronomy 18:9-12, Isaiah 47:12-15, and Galatians 5:20. God's people always have been
instructed to place their faith in Him, not in how the planets move in the sky. Astrology
teaches that the stars and planets are all-powerful, but the Bible teaches that God
created and ordained the stars (Genesis 1:14-19; Acts 17:24-28). The celestial bodies do
not control men, but serve men. God is all-powerful, not the stars or
planets (Job 42:1-2). Also, if astrology were true and the planets determined a person's
future, that would take away man's freedom of choice. But Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:10
that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may
receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or
bad." Neither our birthdays, nor the movements of the planets in the heavens,
determines how we act. We make that choice ourselves (read Joshua 24:15).
Second, astrology is not good science. When scientists study nature, they always look for
a "cause and effect" relationship. Whenever they observe an effect, they
know there must have been an adequate cause. There is no known evidence to show
that the planets or stars (the "cause") can alter (the "effect")
people's lives. Nor is there any reliable scientific evidence to suggest that astrologers
can use the movements of the planets and stars to predict the future. Time and again when
they have tried, they have failed.
So the next time you hear the terms "astronomy" and "astrology,"
remember the difference. Astronomy is a science; astrology is a false idea that violates
God's inspired Word.
This article is from "Discovery," published by
Apologetics Press (800-234/8558). It is a good faith building publication for children in
the area of Scripture and Science.
Resolution Tips What Works For Me
Resolution: Evaluate and Reevaluate Our Priorities Mt. 6:33; Mk. 4:19; Lk.
12:15
Tips (submitted by your brothers and sisters in Christ):
I continually question myself: (1) Am I searching the Scriptures to make sure my moral
practices a re in accord with Scripture or am I following my own tradition? (2) Am I doing
somethingŠwith the proper motive with the other persons best interest in mind? (3) Am
I talking with God in prayer at all occasions or just when I need Him? (4) Am I
offering my spiritual service to God, such that I can transform my mind by putting those
good and acceptable and perfect things from the will of God in it? (5) Am I filling my
mind and heart with the will and mind of God?
Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt
MARCH
Sun. 12 pm - Barbara Simpson
Wed. 15 pm - Jim Crain
Sun. 19 pm - Hurst
Wed. 22 pm - Fontenot
Sun. 26 pm - Cannons
Wed. 29 pm - Rocky Rodriguez
Wednesday Evening Close
Mar. 15 Steve Fontenot
Mar. 22 Michael Gove
Mar. 29 Mark Hargrove
Apr. 5 Mike Head
NEWS
Toni Huehnerfuss' mother has gallstones and is to have
surgery to have them removed either later this month or the first part of next . . .
The doctors believe Clark Huehnerfuss' father .has inoperable cancer on his
bladder. More tests are scheduled this week . . . Danny Wilson is scheduled to
preach next Sunday in both the morning and evening assemblies . . . Weather permitting, a
workday is scheduled for next Saturday, March 18, in order to lacquer the pews. Other
needed maintenance work may be done at that time also . . . The study of Acts 13-28 will
begin in the auditorium class today. Thanks to John Whitehead for his good work on
Acts 1-12 . . . There were morning and evening lessons Sunday
through Wednesday in the meeting Steve just finished in Port Arthur, Texas. Along with
visiting with different ones at noon and evening and sometimes after evening assembly, it
made for a busy but good week. Thanks to Gregg Hutson and Kris Emerson
for preaching here last Sunday. Steve's next meeting is scheduled for April 2-7 in
Huntsville, Texas . . . "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
Psa 119:105 . . . "The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous
ordinances is everlasting." Psa 119:160. *
SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday Mar. 15
Song Leader: Boyd Hurst
Close: Steve Fontenot
Sunday AM, Mar. 19
Announcements: Wally Ottersbach
Song Leader: Boyd Hurst
First Prayer: Glenn Bogs
Lord's Table
_ Bread: Jeff Bogs
_ Fruit of the Vine: Eddie Crain
_ Contribution: David Dickey
_ Assistant: Michael Gove
Preaching: Danny Wilson
Closing Prayer: Jim Crain
Sunday PM, Mar. 19
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Kris Emerson
Lord's Table
_ Bread: Jeff Bogs
_ Fruit of the Vine: Eddie Crain
_ Contribution: David Dickey
Preaching: Danny Wilson
Closing Prayer: Bill Faulkner
If you are a scheduled song leader but know you will be
unavailable, please notify Jim Crain.
If you are scheduled to serve in any other capacity but cannot serve as scheduled, please
notify Boyd Hurst.