3 Sins to Avoid

Today's blog would be quite heavy as it involves the sins that we should avoid...

3 Sins to Avoid

Hook

Imagine a vessel with three holes near the bottom. Now try to fill the vessel with water. What happens? The water leaks out from the three holes of course, and the vessel is difficult to fill. The vessel represents our life. The three holes represent the three major areas in which we sin. Because of our sins, our lives arfe difficult to be filled.

Look

- Sins of the Flesh

- Sins of the Eyes

- Sins of Pride (the heart and mouth)

Key Verse

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust if the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - 1 John 2: 15-16

Book

1 The focus on these verses is on th esinful desires. The flesh, the eyes and life are not sinful. It is the lust and pride that is sinful.

2 Sins of the flesh include: sexual immorality, masturbation, fornication, adultery, drunkenness, smoking, pills, drugs, and laziness.

3 Sins of the eyes include: covetousness, jealousy, envy, greed and idolatry.

4 Sins of pride: lust for power, high position, prestige, selfish ambition. These produce rage, dissensions, slander and hatred.

5 These things belong to the world system and not to God.

6 In the previous lesson, we were taught to love God. Now we learn not to love the world, neither the things in the world.

7 Satan used these three desires to tempt Adamand Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6- When the woman saw that that the fruit of the tree was good food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.) Eve saw that the fruit was good for food (the lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and that it could make one wise (the pride of life).

8 The desires themselves are sinful. In other words, you do not have to do the fleshly deeds to sin.

9 Consider billboard, TV and newspaper advertisements. Notice how they use these three (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) to tempt you.

10 God commands you not to love the world nor the things of the world. But he does not command you to hate the things of the world. The proper balance is to use the things of the wprld for God and for others.

11 If you are not to love the things of the world then you must always hold them with 'an open hand'. In other words, be willing to surrender them to God when He wants you to give them back to Him or to someone else.

Took

Key Response: Do not love.

1 What are the sins of the flesh?

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. - Romans 13:13-14

2 Which of these "sins of the flesh" do you find most difficult to resist?

- Wild parties - Pills

- Drink/ Alcohol - Overeating

- Sexual immorality - Excessive sleep/ rest

-Smoking/ Drugs - __________

3 Why is the "lust of the eyes" never satisfied?

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? - Ecclesiaates 5: 10-11

3 Which of these "lust of the eyes" do you find to be evident in your life?

- Desire for status symbols

- Obsession to collect/ accumulate/ hoard

- Insistence on branded and expensive goods

- Unwholesome movies/ entertainment

- Impulsive buying/ spending

- Constant upgrading of material possessions

5 Case study: Your brother-in-law invites you to go to another city for some business venture. He tells you that the opportunity to make money will soon be over. Should you go with him or not?

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. - James 4:13-16

6 Which of the following desires of the "pride of life" do you find to be the most tempting?

- Pride - Desire for Popularity

- Lust for Power & Control - Lure of Politics

- Desire for Prestige - Striving for high Positions

7 Case study: A fellow church member tells you that he is thinking of buying an expensive car that is considered a status symbol in your country. You ask him why he wants to buy that car when his present car is not giving him any problems. He tells you that he was just promoted to be a manager in his company and all the other managers drive this kind of car. What is this church member tempted by? Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or the pride of life?

9 Why do you find such sins so difficult to resist?

- I face them every day.

- I have special weakness.

- Everyone else is doing it.

- I do not know how to rely on Christ's strength to overcome it.

-__________________________________________

11 How can you overcome the "lusts of the flesh?"

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. - Galatians 5: 16-17

12 What must you think about in order to have victory over sin?

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.- Colossians 3:1-2

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

13 What must you know in order to have victory over sin?

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.- Galatians 5: 24

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.- Colossians 3:3

What sall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised form the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live in a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be untied with him in resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.- Romans 6:1-9

14 What must you know to resist being tempted by the boastful pride of this world?

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

15 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives the grace to the humble." - James 4: 6 (Resist the devil to overcome pride)

People whi want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith love endurance and gentleness. - 1 Timothy 6:9-11 (Flee from the love of money/things)

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22 (Flee from youthful (sexual) desires)

Pride

The word 'PRIDE' with its 'I' being in the middle already explains the word itself.
Sometimes I wonder why some ppl just can't be humble. Is it due to their extraordinary wealth? Higher intelligence? Better appearance? It's really infuriating to see ppl who are so bloated and self-conceited. Whatever is on their minds is just "I, me, myself", there is hardly any or even not any room for the thoughts of others. I am not saying that being rich, smart or good-looking is bad, but if anyone possess any of the following then he should just be thankful, thank God and lead a humble life. There is no need for bragging nor demoralising those who are weaker. Everyone has their own strengths.
Though personally I really detest ppl who are proud and arrogant, the Bible thought us to be loving and forgiving. I have to love. Even to love my enemies. Thus, even there are times that it's hard for me to forgive and love someone that I don't really quite like, I'll pray and ask the Lord to help me. Only by us not holding onto our grudges will we then be truly happy in our lives. Furthermore, we have to pray for the ppl whom we think are proud so that they can be modest enough for ppl to like them straight away without any hesitations. For all of us, we have to remember this very important verse- Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Let's be humble towards everyone! Spread the humility! =)

2 Persons to Love

Wow! Love the weather so much! So cooling=) Had band BBQ yesterday, sad to have to leave early and missed the games but it's alright. Today had lit lessons early in school. Paula and Petrina leaving for njc soon, so good for them. Will definitely miss their CHATTERS, especially Paula. Anyway, I'm posting the second one...

2 Persons to Love

Hook
Look at the Cross. It is made of two pieces of wood. The vertical piece symbolizes our vertical relationship with God. The horizontal piece symbolizes our horizontal relationship with man. Notice that the two pieces of wood are connected to each other.

If our relation with God is good, our relationship with man will be right. If our relationship with man is bad, then it is an indication that there is a problem with our relationship with God as well.
Look

-Love God

-Love Neighbour
key verse
"Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Luke 10:27

Book
1 Christianity is the only religion that emphasises love.

2 Without love, life becomes meaningless. Without love, a marriage is just a contract. Without love, a home is nothing more than a house. Without love, parents are no more than child-care guardian.

3 The world needs more love, but where are ppl going to get more love? From God. We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19-"We love because he first loved us."). Jesus Christ died on the Cross for us to prove once and for all that God loves us (John 3:16-"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."). Only after we receive God's love can we love God in return and love others as ourselves.

5 We must get our concept of love form the Bible, not form the world.

6 In the Bible, love always involves sacrifice for the ones we love. We do not sacrifice the things we like to sacrifice but the things that our loved ones need. We must sacrifice what God desires of us and what our neighbours need from us.

7 We are commanded to love God. It's a command; not a suggestion

8 We are also told how we must love God: with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. We are not to love God with our heart or mind only. We must love Him in all four ways. This means loving Him with every part of our being: emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.

9 We must not love God with only half a heart, half our strength, etc. We are to love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength and all our mind. This means we must love God without doubt, without reservations, without divided loyalty and without compromise.

10 We are also commanded to love our neighnbour. This is also not a suggestion. It is a command, not a recommendation.

11 The Bible also tells us how we must love our neighbour. We must love them as we love ourselves. Loving others as ourselves is the same thing as following the Golden Rule: Do to others what you would others do to you. (Matthew 7:12- "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.")

12 The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37-"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" In reply, Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled,came whre the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse yuo for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

TOOK

Key response: Love.

1Read John 21:15- "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"" Who or what do you love most in the world?

2 What must you do if you are to love the Lor? See John 14:15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

3 Read Deuteronomy 10:12 and 12:2-7. Think of some things you can do to show that you love God in all four ways- with your heart, soul, strength and mind.

-> Cut off past religious ties -> Stop immoral lifestyles

-> Destroy past religious objects -> Stop past religious practices

-> Worshiop God in the way He wants -> Offer Him offerings and gifts

And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but ot fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul - Deuteronomy 10:12

Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places. You must not worship the Lord your God in their way. But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for dwelling. To that place you must go, there bring your burnt offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the Lord Your God, yuo and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 12:2-7

Case studies:
4 A Christian asks you if it is alright to burn jossticks (incense) at his father's funeral. Read 1 Kings 3:3 and Deuteronomy 12:2-7. Do u think King Solomon loved God with all his heart? Would u advise your Christian friend to burn the josstick or not?

Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except thqt he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 1 King 3:3

5 Read Psalm 91:14. How can this teaching abt loving God comfort u when u faced with danger?

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalms 91:14

6 Your son asks yuo for a bicycle for Christmas. He says all his friends oin sch got one. (Actually only two of the have bicycles.) You know that there is a poor boy in his sch who doesd not even have $ to buy textbooks. How can yuo teach your son to love God and love his neighbour?

This is how we what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children,let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth- 1 John 3:16-18

8 If ppl do not love God, what do they love? Which of the following do you love?

-> I love myself -> I don't love goodness

-> I love $ -> I love pleasure

-> I don't love parents/others -> I love God

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy - 2 Timothy 3:2

treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - 2 Timothy 3:4

Loving the ones you like is peanuts but loving your enemies, wow, it's a challenge even for me somtimes. However, we canno be like that, we must love even the ppl whom we dislike, only then will this world be peaceful and full of warmth =) Don't hold grudges. Forgive, forget, love! Don't ponder about the past but think positively and rightly for the future! Be holy. Live the kind of life that pleases the Lord!

Love you all,

Shanny

Ignorance is Bliss

Went back to smps on the eve of teachers' day and that visit had mad me miss my childhood very much. I saw the little innocent girls lining up so orderly going to the hall for the celebration. Their tiny yet bright faces which holds their big smiles showed how much enthusiastic they were for the celebration, even if that celebration wasn't theirs. I believe if it were to be a Children's Day, they would be much more delighted that every unhappy moments will soon be forgotten.
The theme was: Royalties. The teachers dressed themselves so beautifully that all the girls looked at them with full admiration. Looking at how each teacher was dressed up like queens and princessess, the girls could not help but to keep on saying, "wow!" "you're so preety!" etc. The girls, too, wanna be like those teachers who looked like queens and princessess. Celebration was really fantastic! They sang Hannah Montana songs, danced Hannah Montana dances, anyway a lot about Miley Cyrus. Secondary students might think that they are too childish to be crazy about H.M but I think it is really alright. In fact, I do quite like her movie and her songs too! Another misconception was that as ppl grows, particularly girls, they can't love pink. Their friends would mock them by saying " eww, you like pink? so girlish?" Ah yoh, please, girl cannot be girlish, then must be boyish is it?
I really miss the simplicity, ignorance and innocence of a child.
When we're young, we were not afraid of asking "Why?" "Why is it like this? Why can't it be that way?" but as we aged, our courage seem to fade away, we became more shy and dare not voice out our opinions. Friends, too, became too complicated to be understood. Time flies, people change. However, the Lord doesn't. Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus' love stays the same! Yay! =)

1 God to Worship

I'm currently reading on a book that my church teacher gave me. It is titled as "10 things a christian must know". After reading the 1st part, I felt that I have to share this to as many friends as possible, hoping that their doubts they had regarding christianity would be cleared soon and that they will be a step closer to Christ and also help to spread the Gospel. (I'm not posting word for word from the bk, i'll pick up some only)

I will be posting these 10 things in my blog one by one, beginning with the first one...

1 God to Worship

Hook

Look at the wedding ring. A ring is a circle with no beginning and no end. God also has no beginning and no end. He has no end to His power, His knowledge,and His love. A circle has two sides- an inside and an outside. Those who belong to Him are inside His love and care.Those who are outside do not worship Him nor belong to Him. The wedding ring also symbolyzes thaa a wife must only have one husband. A person who worships other 'gods' is like an adulterous wife.

Look

key verses

"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." Deuteronomy 6:4

"There is one body, one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6

Book

1 We are to worship the only one true God of the Bible.

2 Later on, you will learn that the Bible speaks of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that there are three Gods. There is only one God. ... But what the Bible reveals abt God is all true: God is only one. Sometimes ppl of other religions misunderstand and think that Christians believe in three Gods.This is not true: Christians believe only in one God.

Took

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. Case studies:

4 Suppose you ate food offered to idols and you did not know it until later. You are quite worried that an evil spirit might come and do you harm. Look up 1 Corinthinans 8:4-6. How is this teching that 'God is one' relatedto this situation? How can it reassure you?

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the father, from whom all things came and from whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Cor 8:4-6

5 A little girl comes to you and says she is afraid to go to the toilet at night because she is afraid of evil spirits. How can you use this verse to give her some advice?

You believe that there is one God.Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. James 2:19

6 A young Christian is worried that the 'god' of his past religion will come and claim him back as a devotee. Read John 10:28-30. How can you reaasure this Christian using the truth that 'God is one'?

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father,who has given them to me, is grater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:28-30

8 An asian man tells you that he does not want to believe in Jesus Christ because Christianity is a Western religion. Check up Romans 3:29-30 and 10:12. How can you give him an answer based on the fact that 'God is one'?

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Romans 3:29-30

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him Romans 10:12

9 You try to tell a friend that Jesus is the only way to God but he insists that all religions are the same. Read 1 Timothy 2:5,6 Give him a response based on the fact that 'God is one'.

Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 1Tim 2:5,6

11 Your son falls ill and your wife's mother tells you to go to the temple to pray to other 'gods' to heal your son. She says that there is no harm and it may do him some good. Read Psalm 86:6-10 What should you do?

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Psalm 86:6-10

Ok, I've come to the end of the sharing. Hope much is benefitted for you. There is indeed no other God than the Lord Jesus Christ. To God Be the Glory! =)

Signing off,

Shanny

MV1BP-My Very 1st Blog Post

Hi! Shanny here. Yup, that's right, this is my very first post. Unbeliveable, but it's true. I've actually been wanting to have one but had too many hesitations. Anyway, now I've made and have one! =) Hope I made good use of this! Let's shine for the Lord! =) YAY!