Strong Desire

No one blogs anymore do they? 
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Sin Sin Sin Covet Sin

In relation to yesterday’s post, as God was teaching me about lust on Friday, I get a free lesson about it again yesterday. Paul says coveting is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5 (NKJV)  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
This teaches another aspect of lust: When we covet, it’s a strong desire for something. If we desire it more than what our discipline or conscience says, then it’s a lust. In fact, we may even take it a step further and take action to fulfill the desire. For example, watching porn, binge shopping, stealing. If we knowingly do something that we know we shouldn’t, that’s basically trusting and worshipping another ‘god’. For example, Sex or Materialism. 
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Ask yourselves if you love God enough to keep his commandments. 

Lust

Random Thought Of The Day

Have you seen those top fashion designers? They usually wear weird fashion outifts… Sometimes, I do like some of their work, sometimes I don’t. That’s fine. But I always dislike the way they themselves look.

I hope I’m not the only one who thinks so.

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Greener Green

Alright, I’ve succesfully started my blog post with a bad deviation haha.

So did you know that there are a lot of Malaysians in Australia. Whether migrated or just making a living short term. And there are really a lot Sabahans there. I’m Sabahan, so I know of people who have moved there for good or are planning to. 

It’s mostly an escape, I believe. There’s just a chance for a ‘better life’ out there. And it would be a waste not to grab hold of it. 

I, for one, disagree with this ‘better life out there’ attitude. Sure we do have to move on and finish chapters every once in a while, but we should not always compare our life with someone else. We should not get tempted and jealous of the seemingly greener grass.

Last night my youth group was going through the ten commandments. And one of the commandments was to not covet our neighbour’s property. Do not steal or even lust for something that is not yours. This sparked the conversation in my mind about this: People migrate for the same reason, ‘betterment’.

But how could that be a sin? God wants us to grow. To get better. To perfect ourselves, our situation and people around us. 

Well, the difference is this. God put you in your situation. God has your best interest in mind. How do you know for sure that your ‘betterment’ idea will really be better? 

Ah, ultimately, do you trust God to have put you in the right place from the start? Or do you trust what the world has to offer?

God asks us not to worry. He’s got things in control. In fact,  He’s planned where you are now from the beginning of time. No mistakes. I don’t think it means to be content with what we have, but to be content in Him. Re-read that. It’s majorly different.

Key point. Being content or even discontented with what we have shows that our trust is either in ourselves or in our situation. Being content in God shows that our trust is in the Father who provides even when we don’t ask, who keeps all His promises, and who has a good future and a successful/fruitful path planned out for us. 

Let’s stop having the attitude that we deserve anything. And let’s start having a thankful attitude. I’m telling this to myself. Lusting is the opposite of thanksgiving.

So lust less. 

Check yourself before you think about migrating. God might not have finished with your perfectioning and molding.

Some random facts:

Lust often fuels shopping.

Lust always fuels pornography and extra-marital affairs.

Lust often fuel jealousy and sinful attitude (opposite of fruit of the spirit) towards other people.

Lust is usually disguised and blamed as an outside temptation, but we all know it’s 100% a matter of the heart. 

Sorry for this late-night straight-forward post. 

Therefore: 

Have faith in God and be always thankful.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Sexual Immorality

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;  that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

 

Avoiding Sin vs Walking By The Spirit

For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only do not use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you do not consume one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:13-25

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In the ESV version it says; The desires of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit is against the flesh. That speaks pretty hard to me.

The flesh is me. Me in my weakness. Me in my mortal, carnal, human form. But I believe I’m filled with the Spirit. So according to this verse I should HATE sin! The Spirit of God will be against the desires of the flesh. Not just annoyed with. Not just looked down on. Not just disagreeable with. But the spirit if God is AGAINST it. It will do whatever it takes to not only stand against it, but to fight. To ATTACK. But I’m not fighting back as hard as I should be.

Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. To be honest, I sin a lot. Every day. Without fail. I usually don’t even notice it. But God does convict me, and He opens my eyes to myself and my pride and my selfishness and my lusts. I’m working through a lot of weaknesses. Like, a lot. Anyway. What I’m troubled about is the word ‘WILL NOT’. These are strong words. So, if I am carrying out the desires of my flesh, which I am, then I’m not walking by the Spirit? I have to agree. I’m sorry God. I am weak.

I’ve been trying to avoid sin. I’ve been reading up books. Trying to memorize verses. But in here it doesn’t say Avoid sin and you WILL NOT carry out the desires of the flesh. Nope, it says WALK BY THE SPIRIT. This reminds me of one illustration by someone teaching about sin. It’s like a cup full of air. No matter how you try to get the air out. The air will still be there. But fill it to the brim with water, and the air has to come out. Scientifically, that’s not too accurate, I think. But let’s not get too critical. It’s just an illustration.

I just have to remember that I’m weak. I need God. I can’t avoid sin because sin is in me and in the world around me. But I can choose to walk with God and walk by the Spirit.

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God, I’ve tried to be holy, but failed over and over again. I need more grace and power to walk by your Spirit and your ways. Please forgive me of my dumb actions and thoughts and words. Thank You for helping me change, even though it is a painful and uncomfortable and long process.

You are amazing. You are holy. You are great and powerful. You are kind. You are merciful. You are loving. You are protective. Thank You for lifting me up when You should be looking down on me. Thank You for dreaming and hoping I can be who You have created me to be. Thank You for providing for me even though I only deserve death.

1Timothy 1:15

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Stuff We Forget To Wonder About Jesus

I’ve been taught to ask myself this question for any circumstances: “What would Jesus do?” both for negative and positive circumstances. However, sometimes, I think there’s more to life and alot more of what we would be able to learn from Jesus than just how to respond to circumstances. There’s alot about character and attitude that people don’t really dare to think about Jesus.

In this post, I will attempt to cover what I think Jesus is like. I’ll try to be as scriptural as I can, which I can’t, because lot’s of these things aren’t mentioned in the scriptures. Also, this is not canonical, or a set law and a set understanding of christian beliefs in any way. I’m just doing this for fun. Mostly personal opinion. But my main purpose is to get you to think of things about Christ that we usually don’t think about. I’ve asked myself some random questions, trying to cover as wide a range of life topics as possible.

 

Here goes.

 

 

Does Jesus tell jokes?

I bet he does. How else will people just love hanging around him? Also, God is super funny. So, he got his Daddy’s genes.

 

Does He love homosexuals?

Sorry for the pic haha, I needed your attention. This pic is seriously wrong. I believe that Jesus loves everyone. Even gays. And Lesbians. And people who rape and kill their own mom. Why? Because He hates the sin, not the sinner. Sometimes we put so much focus into this gay thing. Do you remember Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”? Any sexual activity out of marriage is a sin. And homosexual relationship is the same. If you ask “does Jesus love homosexuals?” you also need to ask “does Jesus love me?” since you’re a sinner just the same.

 

Since he’s a man, fully God and fully man, would he watch porn?

Because he’s a man, with all manly emotions and manly desires and manly everything, he was tempted just the same as us. Hebrews 4:15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Jesus would have been tempted to watch porn. Jesus would have been tempted by beautiful women around him (I bet he was always surrounded by beautiful women haha), yes, but he would not have given in to sin. Porn is sin. Porn feeds on the lust of the eyes. Jesus would have been tempted. But being tempted is not a sin. Giving in to the temptation is.

 

Did Jesus play pranks on people?

Pranks require one or both of these two things: Lying, and emotionally disturbing someone for the pleasure of others. Let google define this word. Gimme a sec. a practical joke or mischievous act. Wow. I’m sure Jesus isn’t mischievous. Jesus doesn’t lie, firstly. And there are other ways to make people happy. So I doubt Jesus played pranks.

Now I’m sure you’re thinking, if Jesus didn’t tell lies, how did he tell jokes? A joke requires telling a story about something that didn’t happen right? Well for me, it’s an illustration. Not a lie. Sentences with “Once there was 3 guys who walked into a bar…” is more of an illustration because it’s vague and it could have happened. Sentences with “Last night, your mom…” is about a fact that doesn’t add up. So Jesus could have used illustration jokes instead. Also, Jesus DID give illustrations in his preaching. He loved doing it. Are those lies? No I don’t think so. They’re illustrations.

Now on a different note, ever wondered why something horrible happened to you, and you’re so sure God was playing a prank on you and laughing with all of heaven at you? Well, that’s really good imagination.

 

Would he perform magic tricks?

I think he would. Everyone would know it was a trick, and he’d do it to entertain the children. In fact, if cards were invented, he’d even play cards (without gambling) with the people just to socialize with them.

Of course, he did do magic. They’re called miracles.

 

Would he enjoy metal music?

I think he would. In fact, he’d be an awesome shredder guitarist.

 

Can Jesus lie?

Yes, but he won’t. Ever.

 

Would Jesus curse?

Depends on your definition of curse. Cussing and dissing like kids do these days, are just to annoy and stir up emotional anger without needing to think of anything intelligent. However, in the old testament times, cursing was what men of God did to their enemies. They actually cursed their enemies in the name of God. And bad things actually happened to their enemies because they were doing things against God’s will anyways.

I don’t think Jesus would use foul words (this is defined differently according to different culture and times), but he does use strong words to describe people. He called Herod a fox in Luke 13. So, no cussing or swearing.

But he did curse a fig tree, and it curled up and died. I guess I’m treading on some tense waters here, because I do believe Jesus would curse. But just as the previous men of God, the curses were prophetic in nature, and were against people whom God is intending to curse. I don’t think we have such prophets today. So, this is something Jesus WOULD DO, that we shouldn’t.

 

Would Jesus play DOTA?

Hahaha. What a question. Let’s look at the few areas of why DOTA can be good or bad. It’s a team building game. It’s competitive. It’s a critical thinking, planning, strategic game. It does have a lot of references to demonic activity and beliefs. It’s addictive. It’s free.

So, based on these few notes, I think Jesus actually would play. But only for a purpose he intends. eg. Making friends and relating to those who are maybe addicted to this game. Just as he meats (a king james word for “dine”) with a pharisee in public, he would play cards or play DOTA with the sinners, just to accept them publicly and to be accepted. P.s. He would later on tell them if it’s bad for them and why.

 

Would he admire girls in bikinis?

1. Is everyone God created really beautiful? I think Jesus would admire all of us whether we’re in bikinis or mankinis because we’re all beautiful. 2. However, he may not appreciate the way we dress or flaunt our body. Also, he may not agree with the message that wearing a bikini sends. Yes, your fashion do send statements to people around you. 3. But, I don’t think Jesus would condemn you for wearing a bikini, either. He didn’t condemn those who dressed like prostitutes in those days. I’m not saying that those who wear bikinis are prostitutes haha. I’m saying that whether Jesus agrees with bikinis or not, he won’t condemn those wearing it. P.s. I wonder what “dressed as a prostitute” meant at those days. Did they wear as little cloth as “normal” girls these days do?

 

Would Jesus have written his own books?

Maybe not, because he knows he has little time on earth. But I’d think he’d delegate. But also on another hand, for some weird reason, I’d bet he has really pretty handwriting haha.

 

Does Jesus love Sci-Fi?

I bet he loves Sci-Fi.

 

Did he get 100% results for all tests during school?

You do know Jesus went to school right? He probably faced the same problems we did. He may have been bullied for being such a nerd. He probably had teachers who gave him problems. He probably would have made lot’s of mistakes in life. People didn’t always like having Jesus around you know? And Jesus may not always have been a know-it-all.

Wow, I feel mind-blown myself for typing that out. Here’s why I think he didn’t always get perfect results for tests. Is it because he has imperfect knowledge? Wow. This I have no idea. Yet, in Luke 2:52 it is said about his childhood that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The word “grew” is key here. It means it changed. A development. Jesus wasn’t born in perfect wisdom and stature, or in perfect favor with God and man. He had to learn. He had to work hard. He had to face trials. He had to make mistakes. He had to gain trust. He had to earn respect. Just like every man should.

So, no, Jesus wasn’t perfect when he was a baby, or when he was a kid. 30 years he had to grow into perfection. This is something extremely important that we need to learn from Jesus.

 

 

 

 

So here are my own opinion about Jesus. These are personal opinions. Please use this for personal reflection only and not for argument or a backing point for sermons lol.

These are just topics that are socially accepted in the world today. I mean things like music and tv shows just show people having sexual relations outside of marriage. And it’s now the norm. Movies have cussing just to enhance the script and show what a dire situation something is it. Politicians support gay movements to get more votes. Pranks are funny.

So, I’m just giving my humble opinion. I may be wrong in any of these. Or maybe in ALL of my thoughts. If so, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. But I do hope to change your mindset. We need to be aware of the works of the enemy and renew our mind.

 

For future posts like this one, what else do you want to ask about Jesus?

 

 

Over and out

All Staff Message – Breaking the Sound Barrier

All Staff Message – Breaking the Sound Barrier from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

The Demise Of Guys

Scientific Proof 

 

 

 

 

The book of wisdom gives some wise counsel on having your wife as your standard of beauty. Proverbs 5:18–19 says, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” If a man fills his mind with images of other women’s breasts, he will never be satisfied with his wife’s and thereby diminish her confidence and his marriage….

First Corinthians 7:4 says, “For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” A married man does not own his body, but rather he is a steward of his body that belongs to his bride and his God. Every single man, likewise, is merely a steward of his body for his God, and eventually for his bride. Consequently, a man has no right to use his eyes to view pornographic lust because they are not his eyes. And if he plans on touching himself sexually, he should discuss it with his wife first since it is, after all, her body he is looking after….

 

– Mark Driscoll, Porn-Again Christian

 

Sex

So we had a teen forum about sex.

It was separated by gender though. Boys in one room and girls in the other.

Very interesting questions. Eye opening answers.

Questions by the participants will be italicized. Participants in this case are all teenage boys. Answers are not by me, but by married men. I wrote them down. =)

And now I will share it (take note that some of the answers and questions have been altered to be more specific or understandable by readers).

Let us begin.

Why sex?

– Sex is God’s command. It is mentioned in the first chapter of the first book in the bible.

If we have already had sex, and we are in regret. What next? How to reconcile?

– Come before God, repent. Turn Around. Total Breakoff. Don’t do it again. An act of sexual intercourse is a soul tie. There’s no such thing as a ‘One night stand’.

– For girls, there’s a second chance virginity. To be holy for marriage.

– Don’t feel condemned (The devil tells us we are not good enough). Talk to leaders and mentors. If you don’t have any, find one. Good spiritual mentors.

– God gives second chances.

Is it a sin to create babies without sexual intercourse? Sperm injection.

– Bringing babies into the world is a serious matter. Life. Soul. Not good. It is a selfish act. Better to just adopt a child.

“Don’t flirt with temptation. Because it opens up doors to sin.”

 

 

Making out, heavy petting. Sin?

– Yes. As long as we look at a girl lustfully, it is a sin. There is no way we can make out and do heavy petting with a girl without imagining things or arousing ourselves.

Masturbation?

– Sin. The sin is in what you think. To masturbate, we have to think of the action. That is sin. And we have to think of doing it with someone. That is also sin. Bible says “if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.” And “if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” Why did it talk about the hand? Because he was referring to masturbation.

If I masturbate, am I still a virgin? What is a virgin?

– Definition of a virgin? For guys it doesn’t matter.

– Our priority. Who do we hurt when we masturbate? God or wife? or both?

Oral Sex?

– Wrong.

Wet Dreams?

– We can’t control our dreams. But we have to check ourselves. We are visual beings. Where did the visual ideas come from? Only if we’ve seen or imagined things, then we will dream it.

“We Struggle because we always Entertain the thoughts“

What is the physical problems with sex before marriage?

– Many times we hear that oh it’s okay to have sex since we will be getting married anyways. But there is NO GUARANTEE. Even the night before the wedding, you’re still not married yet. One of you can still run off or cheat on you.

– We violate a person.

– Condom safe sex is a myth.

– STDs. Herpes, HPV, AIDS. Some through touch, some through fluids, some through blood.

– Oral sex CAN transfer STDs.

Homosexuals. “I’m gay but I don’t practice it”. Do gays go to heaven? How to encourage a gay friend to change?

– No gays do not go to heaven. But God can forgive sins if repentant.

– These people usually have an absent father or father figure in their lives.

– Definition of gay: in an intimate relationship with someone of the same sex. Even if no intercourse.

– Accept gays as friend. DO NOT CONDEMN THEM. Gay has the same weight of sin as any sin, even stealing or lying. He is as much a sinner as you. Don’t condemn. If you cant be patient with them, DON’T try to help them with their problem. They need extra care and patience.

– If you are gay? God did not make you that way. It is a psychological problem and can be cured.

How to deny the thoughts? HOW TO STOP?!?!?!

– Two possibilities: 1. Supernatural power of God; a miracle! 2. Work super hard.

– “Bounce your eyes” The eyes will automatically detect a girl and bounce towards her. But you have to bounce it away right after that.

– Stop feeding the SUMO inside. We are fighting against a supernatural Sumo wrestler who is bigger and stronger than us. Every time we go head to head against it, we will lose. Instead, we need to starve it. Stop feeding the Sumo Wrestler the visual and the imagination it needs to grow. Slowly slowly, one day we will beat him.

“The best gift we can give our wife or husband is our virginity“

Corruption Of Sin

1 Samuel 18:5-17

 

Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.

When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song:

“Saul has killed his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands!”

This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.

Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.

David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.

One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.”

 

 

my focus was on the verse 12 

Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul.

hmmmm.

it got me thinking.

somehow, sin works like a snowball effect.

in Saul’s story before this chapter, he disobeyed God.

so he acknowledges that he is away from God’s will. but yet instead of coming back to God, he sins even more.

he turns away from God.

getting jealous. he even plotted to get rid of David.

 

if we don’t face God and repent, things will get worse.

we will grow deeper and deeper into our sin. 

it will snowball out of control.

oh. that was a reminder for myself.

 

here’s an example.

Ted Bundy, Interview by Dr. James Dobson in 1989 Before Execution

 

Ted Bundy is a seriel killer/rapist.

 

if u cant watch the vid,

here’s a link for the convo.

or… mostly the important parts.

 

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my sins are snowballing for sure.

 

Lord help me. and help my readers and friends to overcome our failures and sins.

 

Lord i pray for breakthrough on everything we are facing.

Lord i pray for a willing heart to repent.

we love you.