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The Bible Study – Our readings for Monday, April 8 are Exodus 22:18 – 23:13 & Luke 4:16-30. Our Old Testament text begins with God’s direct and strict prohibition against sorcery, the occult, and ends with these words: “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.” Today the occult and false spirituality lead many away from Christ, and to spiritual destruction. Leviticus 20:6 also makes clear: “‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” This is a bigger problem in our times than it may seem at first. Computer games and Hollywood films focus on and draw children and adults into occult beliefs and practices. ‘New age spirituality’ is simply a modern word for witchcraft and involvement with the demonic. Just as Jesus was rejected as Nazareth, many today reject the true Christian faith and turn to spiritual ‘self-help,’ or see the faith simply as a means to achieve worldly success through a ‘prosperity gospel.’ God the Father has offered us His only Son, sending Christ into the world to pay for our sins on the cross. Jesus alone is our Lord & Saviour. Only Christ offers believers grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. We are to look to no one else for salvation. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs