Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 16:16, we have read of Paul and Silas making their way to the place of prayer. They were concentrating their ministry where the interest was keenest. God began to work with those who were gathering for prayer.
All of a sudden, a certain young girl who had an evil spirit met them and followed them. It is amazing what can happen to you on the way to the Prayer Meeting - to prevent, hinder, delay, distract, or stop altogether.
Sometimes the hardest part of the Prayer Meeting or the Worship service is getting there - getting from your place to the place of Prayer and Praise and Worship.
She had been dabbling in the occult. Many today are involved in this more and more and at deeper levels. Many consider it to be all right, and people can be influenced in the subtlest ways and not be aware of it. Some people dabble just for a joke - just for what they call fun - only to discover it is no joke! Some dabble to see if it is true - to see if there is anything in it. Some think it would be a new entertainment for an evening or so.
We have seen a growth in psychic fairs and 'spiritualist' evenings in our area of Scotland over these past 10 years. We know not what damage has been done and is continuing to be done.
Then one day, a person comes to realise that it is no joke. This is not material for entertainment. No longer is it a little innocent fun. Something serious arises and for some it is too late. Then, the laughing stops!
This sad girl predicted the future. She was a fortune teller or horoscope writer, and she was owned by pimps - by men who looked to her to make money for them in this dangerous area, by using the powers which she had. She could tell the future, and many were interested.
There is hardly a newspaper which does not carry this material today. It features prominently in various television programmes, if not on the screen, then by the writers and actors - and this can unwittingly poison people.
Take great caution over what you become involved in, and if you have dabbled in occult activities, repent and receive forgiveness and cleansing and have all traces and splashes, or deep scars, from the enemy, removed.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.