Posts tagged Christian

Drink Moderately?

Last Monday, I was invited by my classmate into their house for his 21st birthday celebration. I refused at first because I know it will led me from drinking alcohol (again). I’ve never been drunk since the time I encounter my Saviour, Jesus Christ. But he forced me to come. He’s one of my closest friend in school, and I don’t want to disappoint him-so I come with my two other friends. My plan is not to drink, I will go there just for the food, no more liquor and other stuff. And suddenly, I did not notice that I am taking a shot of Emperador Light. Aww! (Lord, Forgive me!) As a new christian, I made a promise to myself that I will never been involve on drinking alcohol, but I have transgressed my promise. Pitiful me. Everytime I drink, I always think that is it really okay? Did I pleased God by doing this? I always second-guessing. But thanks to this article I found on the web:

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Question: “What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?”

Answer: Scripture has much to say regarding the drinking of alcohol (Leviticus 10:9;Numbers 6:3Deuteronomy 29:6Judges 13:4714Proverbs 20:131:4Isaiah 5:1122;24:928:729:956:12). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.”Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…”

What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:122 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol in excess to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but not necessarily to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:181 Corinthians 6:12).

Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others, it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol.

source:http://www.gotquestions.org/sin-alcohol.html

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After I read this, I enlighten up. I remember the ad: “Drink Moderately” is it okay for us (christians) to drink unless we still know what we are doing. We must avoid being drunk and fall into sin because of alcohol. But drinking is an addiction, and somehow it will help the evil spirit more attracted to us. I am not a drinker or ‘Sunog Baga’, I drink occasionally. But it’s a shame on my part that I say to everybody that I am a christian, I follow God, I speaks God’s words, and I drink? It breaks me. Saying ‘NO!’ is really a hard word to say but I will make a covenant to God that I will never (EVER) involve myself again in drinking alcohol-related stuff. Sharing this is really a ‘suntok sa buwan’ for me, but God gives me a strength and courage to speak this to the public. To God be the Glory.

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Encounter God Retreat

Last Friday afternoon until Sunday (from July 20-22, 2012)  we were at the Camp Jabez, Dasmarinaz, Cavite for our EGR or ‘Encounter God Retreat’. At first, I was so excited kung ano ang maaring mangyari sa camping na ‘yun. I was with my co-churchmates and my classmates. I am new sa aming church which is ‘YROCK’ or Yeshuah The Rock Christian Assembly. Ang dami kong hindrances at struggles before ako makasama but praise Him, He made a way para makasama ako.

I’m just an ordinary guy outside but I have a lot inside-nakatago. So kung kilala mo ako, you know the 40% of my being not the whole me. Tahimik ako, di kita kakausapin kung di mo ko i-aaproach first (pero di ako snabero), I’m more on the observer type, mas gugustuhin kong maging follower kaysa maging leader, takot ako sa rejection, at sa aso, masayahin ako but it always depends pa rin on my mood, mahilig ako sa music, pop culture, magsulat nang kahit ano, at magbasa.

Room Matthew (Machu)

Ano nga ba ang EGR? Most of the christian(s)-born again ay alam na ang bagay na ito. Let me share na lang may personal experiences. We came at the camp not knowing kung anong mga maaring mangyari sa amin. Since I am a boy, boys rin ang mga karoommates ko. Nasa room-Matthew kami. After mag getting-to-know ang bawat isa ay nagsimula na ang orientation and then afterwards ang first session. Binubuo nang 11 sessions ang EGR (don’t know if ganoon rin sa other christian church). That night, isang session lang ang hineld. And after that session, I was crying and so they are. Grabeeee! First session pa lang, ang bigat na sa pakiramdam (mabigat in a good way). We prayed, and went back to our respective room after nun. Confiscated ang mga phones at iba pang mga gadget para iwas temptation at makapagfocus ka talaga. You just need your heart, desires at ang iyong sarili.

Real men do cry

2nd day of EGR, still on the run and I am still on FIRE! Ang gaganda ng mga topics every session. Korni mo kung di ka maapektuhan or magiging emotional. Grabeee! Sobrang grabeee! Ayaw ko nang ikwento, mas magandang ikaw mismo ang makaalam at makaranas ng exaggerated  feeling na di mo ma-eexplain. At habang tumatagal, unti-unti akong nadudurog. Nanlulumo. Nasasaktan. Dati kasi, when I encounter a problem, I keep it to myself. I ask God for help but I am not sincerely enough. I always expect or should I say, I always test Him (which is not the right way to handle your problem/s), sabi nga ng isa sa mga leader namin si church: “Tingnan mo yung kamay mo. Walang butas right? Di ka si Jesus Christ kaya ‘wag mo pasanin lahat ng problems mo.”  At hanggang sa sumapit ang hapon, ang gabi. Walang tapon sa lahat ng narealize ko, sa nalaman sa buhay ko. Eto pala talaga yung sinasabi nilang Grabeeee! I learned how to confess lahat ng tinatago kong kasalanan sa ibang tao. Tunay ngang you will accept all the challenges that life may brings if you encounter God sa buhay mo. Before we close that night, they gathered a talent presentation per group, I was in the group 3 and praise His glory name because we won out of nowhere. Thanks to my groupmates and for the first time, I consider myself as a leader that time.

Real Happiness

Last day was the best of the bests. Ika nga nila: ‘They save the best for last.’ Doon mo talaga mararanasan yung pinaka-Grabeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Wooh! If curious kang malaman? You should join an EGR and I assure you na hindi mo ito pagsisihan.

After that encounter, you will feel Free! So Free! Just ask for His forgiveness, surrender your all to Him, and accept and receive Him in your precious heart and walk with Him through your journey until the end of everything. Promise. You will never regret if you encounter God in your life. After ‘nun may pang-hahawakan ka na sa buhay mo. You will know what is your purpose. You will going to have a conviction. And you will free from the evil spirits na palaging hadlang sa mga daan papunta sa kanya.

I testify this because, I want you to encounter God, I want you to be changed by Him, I want you to know that He loves you so much even though you sinned a lot just like me, and I want to share the impact that I experienced when I encounter Him. Tunay ngang buhay ka Panginoong Hesus, nawa’y bigyan mo ng wisdom kung sino man ang bumabasa nito right now. To God be the Glory. God bless you more and more. 🙂

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