While checking my email this morning I got a message from a good friend that prompted me to share a message about luck with 9 people within 96 hours and I would have “good luck.” This got me to thinking about why we Christians MUST believe in Blessings and not luck. I can’t believe the number of “believers” that dabble in this stuff and have no idea what they are doing to the heart of God. If we would just read our Word, we would find that our GOD wants to bless us perpetually.

What is the difference between luck and a blessing?

Webster’s dictionary defines luck as the “force that brings good or bad”. The ancient Greeks and Romans used to worship luck in the form of the goddess Fortuna. Her name even became another word for luck, ‘fortune’. A blessing is defined as “to invoke Divine Care”. The source of blessings is God Himself!

Luck is a pagan, non-Christian concept that views good or bad fortune — and success — as a tangible thing unto itself. Certain items, like rabbits’ feet, four-leaf clovers, emails and other forms of chain letters, and other “good luck” charms” are said to “bring luck”. Certain days, and even people, are considered “lucky”. Seeking “luck” is closely connected with superstition, which in turn connected to magic. According to this world view, humans are at the mercy of unseen powerful and uncertain forces that may help or hurt us.

A blessing is very different from the idea of luck. God is Lord of the world. A blessing asks for His Divine Protection and help. Whereas luck can be good or bad, a blessing is always good. God’s care for us and the world is called Divine Providence. This concern for us is grounded in love, and is personal and real. By extension the symbols of God, such as the Cross, religious medals, or phylacta (little bags of earth from holy places), are powerful when they are used not as “lucky charms”, but as signs that we believe in God’s power and protection. They are not sources of power themselves but only point back to God. Those who do not know God are trapped in a world that is full of fears and evil forces that they try to manipulate with magic and
superstition. Christians can look on life and not be afraid, for Christ has destroyed the power of evil. If we trust in Him and follow His ways, nothing can really harm us. Christians reject the very existence of the idea of “luck”. Attracting “luck” with a charm, a special day according to the zodiac, or other such things, is nonsense!

God's Promises to Abraham
Remember we were grafted in:ROMANS 11:17-18 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches.

December 28, 2007 by Mike Calvo | Comments (0) | luck | blessing | false_teachings | superstition | pagan | magic

Get MP3 (20 MB | 43:53 min)

Here we are again. It’s a really beautiful night THE LORD has made for us in Orlando. It’s that holiday season and of course all the joys of shopping and cooties from the little ones. We are starting to feel that bite in the air. Well, as much of a bite as we get here in Florida, lol.

Actually we have all been kinda sick in one way or another for the last couple of weeks. But I believe that we are just about out of the woods and ready to enjoy our season of sharing.

This is the second and last teaching about the holy Spirit for now. I have lots to say on the subject but we are currently a small group and have decided to move on to other things.

Please pray for us we are looking for a place to move the home study. We want a public place where people that we don’t know can come and just enjoy the Word and the company of people that love and don’t judge. Please keep your prayer requests coming and let me know what you would like to see on the site. Also any teachings you would enjoy hearing.

Don’t forget to post a comment if you have one and be blessed in your coming in and going out!

Holy Spirit Lesson 2 Notes
These are the notes for this teaching. To print them simply use the print feature in your browser.
Living Water The Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life
by Chuck Smith

November 06, 2007 by Mike Calvo | Comments (0) | Holy_Spirit | Lessons | small_group | teachings

Get MP3 (15 MB | 32:48 min)

Hello all:
Well here we are, my first teaching. Wow! I can’t believe what the Lord is doing! This blog/podcast is a way for me to share the teachings that the Lord is putting on my hart. Please feel free to download and share these if you feel anyone can benefit from hearing them.

This is my first lesson on the Holy Spirit. I am so excited about this teaching because to walk in the Spirit is to walk in power. It is so important that believers understand the power that they have over the enemy both by the Blood of Jesus and by His Spirit.

Have your Bible handy and keep your fingers flexible we will be jumping around lots in this one. I promise that it will be less in future teachings however it is important that we base what we teach on what the Word says and not what we think. To do this we need to build a foundation based on the Scriptures. God doesn’t just say something in one place He will build upon it verse by verse and chapter by chapter.

I attend Calvary Chapel of South Orlando and at Calvary we learn that the Bible and what It says is what matters. Anything we bring to the table as teachers is only second to the infallible word of God.

Enjoy the Podcast and please feel free to leave a comment or prayer request. God bless you all and don’t forget that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Holy Spirit Lesson 1 Notes
These are the notes for this teaching. To print them simply use the print feature in your browser.

October 16, 2007 by Mike Calvo | Comments (0) | holy_spirit | lessons | teachings