Sins?

Sometime its hard to tell what is a sin and what isn't and on somethings you won't find a bible verse about what your wondering about. For instance I find it OK for me to have a drink every now and then while others believe it is a sin and you shouldn't do it. So who's right? Well we both are in away.  Paul describes it this way in the book of Romans.
Romans 14:11-17 ERV  Yes, the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Everyone will bow before me; everyone will say that I am God.'"  (12)  So each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do.  (13)  So we should stop judging each other. Let's decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith.  (14)  I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person.  (15)  If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you are not really following the way of love. Don't destroy anyone's faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them.  (16)  Don't allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil.  (17)  In God's kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy--all from the Holy Spirit.

So if someone I know has received the conviction from God that drinking is wrong and if by drinking around them it causes them to question their faith, then I have sinned by drinking.  Not all things that are wrong for one person is wrong for another. There are direct behaviors that are wrong for everyone. Evil is Evil. Lying cheating and stealing will always be wrong. If I watched a lot of TV and God put it in my heart that I am watching too much TV at that time I should stop watching so much TV because it is now a sin for me to do so. Anything that hinders your relationship with God is a sin for you.

Oh Lord Why Do You Punish Me So?

Many times I have heard people say " Oh Lord Why Do You Punish Me So?" This brings me to two thoughts. The first is is this a punishment from God or the results of our own actions. The second is why does a loving God punish us? So I am going to start with the first. Often when things aren't going right in our life we are quick to blame it on God. For instance a few weeks ago my A/C broke down we ended up without it for 4 nights before it was finally fixed. When you live in a place that during this time of year it is always about 90° with a 99% humidity. When you step out your door you begin to sweat. It would have been  realyl easy for me to blame God and to say God was punishing me. Instead of blaming God I thanked him for the wisdom we were able to gain from the experience. To begin the 2 boys learned about the suffering some people go through everyday because they have no A/C. We all learned patience while we waited for the problem to be solved. When I think of being punished by God I believe there will be a clear and concise punishment that is relevant to the act that you did to warrant God's punishment. You will also know why you are punished. Jesus says (Rev 3:19)  "I correct and punish the people I love. So show that nothing is more important to you than living right. Change your hearts and lives." When we receive punishment we should not reject it.

In the book of proverbs it says
Pro 3:11-13  "My son, don't reject the LORD'S discipline, and don't be angry when he corrects you.  (12)  The LORD corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.  (13)  Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding."

So if it is true punishment from God we should accept it and not be angry because when we do accept it we will gain wisdom.

Putting God First.

I woke up this morning with several things on my list to do today.  My to do list went like this:

1. Fast and pray (when I fast it is liquids only)
2. Work on next online teaching
3. Write on blog
4. Update Calendar
5. Work on computers
6. Do Laundry
7. Touch bases with a few friends
8. Go to gym
9 Make dinner

My morning started out a little differently than the list did. I got up started my fast and went into the computer I checked my e-mails and Facebook then I began playing a video game. I was on the game for about 30min then the game shut down. So I restarted it it got to the point where I was just about to play again and it shut down again. So thinking as a computer tech I restarted the computer and tried to play it again. I got to the point where I got off on sentence to my friend in the game before my computer flashed over to a Blue Screen of Death. As I was watching the computer reboot I understood what my problem was. It wasn't a problem with the game or my computer. It was a problem with me. I woke up today on a day of fasting and prayer dedicated to God. and I didn't start it by doing God work.


Mat 6:9-13  After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread.  
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 
Amen.

The lords prayer starts out  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Today I had forgot a very important thing and that is to always put god first and God had reminded me of that.