calling the shots when you shouldn't

I have a friend whom I have known for years send particular e-mail with great regularity. The e-mail starts of very pleasant ...well let me just share what the last one was like: It was a "Novena". I found out that it was a Latin word for 'nine'. It was supposedly started by Mother Theresa in the 50's. It include the Lord's Prayer in Mathew 6:9-13 by Jesus. And then my friend makes incredible promises through the Novena. Here is an excerpt: " It shall be well with you this coming year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it, and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remainder of 2009, and all of 2010, all of your agonies will be diverted, and victory and prosperity will be incoming in abundance. Today, God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows and pain because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you joy. He will never let you down. I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me, ' My child! What can I do for you?' And I said, 'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message.' This is a Novena from Mother Theresa that started in 1952. It has never been broken. within 48 hours send 20 copies (or as many as you can - God does know if you don't have 20 people to send it to -- it's the effort and intent that counts) to family and friends. This is a powerful Novena. Couldn't hurt. Can only help. Please do not break it. Be Blessed today and always. ". Where should I start? I could go on a long time! Well, first off the person puts a lot of power in this Novena. It's power is not from God but from the superstitious beliefs that surround it. The person who may not know it, but they are making predictions about someone else future ,which is forbidden for our protection. (Guess what, God hates divination! See Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Also speaking for God when God has not spoken such is a sin. The book of Jeremiah furnishes abundant examples of people who claim to speak for God when they only spoke for themselves. Such an action always angered God. " It shall be well with you this coming year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it, and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. " This person means well, but how do they honestly know about the future? They don't; for "the secret things belong to the Lord". Sending any sort of e-mail with the idea that God will bless such action is blasphemous. Why do I say that? Anytime you usurp God and call the shots is a sin that angers God -"thou shall not test the Lord your God!" (See Mathew 4:1-11 When you read it, notice how the devil tries to call the shots? However Christ would not let him.). In other words, if you send letters with the idea that God has to honor your effort by blessing the recipient or other individuals you have made the Lord of the Universe your slave and cosmic Jeanie! I find it extremely offensive, and I have it on good authority that God hates too! It is my prayer too that you are "turned off" when anyone tries to order God around. If not then you need prayer real bad!