January 30, 2026 Devo

January 30th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
“Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.’ But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” – Isaiah 8:19-20 (NLT)
“Not Lucky, Blessed!”

The other night, when I was settling in for the evening, I put on OKC Thunder lounge pants and an OKC Thunder t-shirt. I always try to wear my Thunder gear on game days. As I was putting on my slippers, I said to myself, “Maybe I should put on my OKC Thunder slippers, too. Maybe they’ll bring us good luck!” As I slipped them on, I laughed at myself. Wanting to wear team gear to show support is one thing. But believing a pair of slippers can influence the outcome of a game I’m watching on TV is insane. With five of our top eight players out with injuries, what the Thunder need is a healthy roster. Not me, hoping on my “good luck slippers.”
It’s funny how often we turn to stuff like that, isn’t it? Good luck charms, rituals and routines, special articles of clothing, even eating special food that is supposed to bring home the victory. But it doesn’t. We’re putting hope in things that have no power whatsoever. It simply gives us a sense of control. And control, as we know, is an illusion.
It’s the same with believing in fortune cookies, astrology, and Ouija boards. There are people who read their horoscopes every day to look for help on how they ought to act, what decisions they should make, or whether today is a good day to travel. Even worse is when they use it to determine what kind of person they ought to date or marry!
Our passage today reminds us to stay away from spirits that have nothing to do with the Spirit of God. People in Isaiah’s day often consulted people who called themselves “witches” and “mediums.” They believed that somehow these people could talk to the dead, who could give them advice. Let that sink in. Advice from dead people. Why talk to dead people when you have access to talk to the Living God?! God loves you. He WANTS to be involved in the decisions we make. He has WISDOM that we need, WARNINGS we need to hear, and PLANS for our lives that are GOOD! Put your good luck charms in the drawer; you don’t need them. Burn your horoscopes and Ouija boards. They’re deceptive at best and can even lead you toward dark paths you don’t want to be on. Seek the Lord. Read His Word, listen to His Spirit, and follow His instructions. We don’t have to be lucky. We’re BLESSED! That’s God’s Word for you today.