http://www.shbconline.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm This is an RSS blog feed available from Sunset Hills Baptist Church. Alexandria, VA Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:22:42 GMT 60 http://www.shbconline.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=2 The great challenge of living in this day of abundant information is to make sure we are giving and getting good information.

My good friend and collegue, the late Dr. Ron Carlson, was often heard saying as he taught on the false teachings of cults and world religions, "What most people need is good information!" Today, at 7:46 AM, I was standing in line for a coffee and overheard some faulty information. Two middle aged gals behind me were having an animated exchange about their zodiac signs. I couldn't help overhear one of them say, "Well you know, this is the year of the Dragon! It's going to be a great year!" Everything in me wanted to turn around and engage in this exchange, but few people like to think that people are listening to their conversation so I refrained from making any comment and ordered a coffee. Nonetheless, and since I've heard this several times in the last few weeks, I thought it would be important to speak to this "year of the dragon" from a biblical worldview.

Men (mostly in Asia) have determined that this is the year of the dragon. Why? Well, men have been seeking purpose and direction from the creation and not the Creator. Think of Adam and Eve getting their fruit choices from a talking serpent. The whole "year of the dragon" chatter is just another case for the lack of "good information" that is rampant.

The short explanation is that through a series of mathematical calculations many Chinese follow a zodiac that is characterized using 12 different animals and those animals are related to specific years. A small amount of research will let you know that this isn't just the year of the dragon! It's the year of the water dragon! Maybe we will finally get to see the ilusive "Nessy"; also known as the Loch Ness monster! Did anyone tell him/her that it's THE year for them to finally put the whole question of their existence on the books? :)

Anyway, back to the problem of faulty information. God warns Israel through a prophet named Jeremiah of a problem that men have had since they began to look up at the heavens that God created.

Jeremiah 10:2 (NLT) This is what the LORD says: “Do not act like other nations who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.

Did you catch that? The nations seek to find out about their future by looking at the stars. They truly are looking in the right direction, but they can't see that they are following the creature and not the Creator. Eventually, their very own predictions cause them to be terrified. God's stated goal is not to terrorize the creatures He created but to show us His great love. The Apostle Paul brings it home for us in his letter to the Roman Christians as he exposes this problem with these words:

Romans 1:25 (NLT) Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever.

Some will argue that no one is "worshipping" these zodiac symbols, but this is all just for fun. A quick survey of people who faithfully read their horoscope will reveal that many truly believe that the date/year of your birth determines how you behave, who you really are, and what the outcome of your days will be. Please remember that the Creator of all things also describes Himself as a "jealous" God. His creation "declares" His glory, but He is to be worshipped, not His creation.

So, while some people are celebrating the year of the dragon, according to God, He alone determines what year it is! In fact Jesus speaks of this when he reads from the prophet Isaiah in his hometown synagogue:

Luke 4:18-19 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”

This is a reference to a proclamation of the "year of jubilee" when every 50 years, debts were forgiven, properties were restored and jewish slaves were freed. The Gospel of God's grace makes every year a year of jubilee. God has been liberating captives and restoring the downtrodden ever since! I'd suggest that this is going to be a great year because the Good News has come and it's another "favorable year of the Lord!" just like Jesus said.

And if you are seeking purpose in this year that belongs to God, Jesus didn't leave you without a purpose.   Matthew 4:19 (NASB) “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  No greater purpose for 2012 than to be a fisher of men. Don't let a man-made mathematical diagram about years determine your purpose or your plans this year. Embrace your purpose and God's calling on your life to be a bearer of His love and His light into the lives of others.The next time you get a chance to respond to this being the "year of the dragon", lovingly tell your audience that this is actually the "the year of our Lord" Jesus Christ.





]]> Dave's blog http://www.shbconline.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=2 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:20:08 GMT