Crimson Red Sports

http://chosentoobey.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-should-i-study-bible.html

Amen.

Another great article.  Gambling falls into that category too, in my opinion.

Gambling, drinking, smoking, watching certain movies and TV shows... all sinful in excess but not expressly forbidden in Scripture.   

My understanding of the scripture on this subject is that it is not the aforementioned items but the SIN that they cause you to produce. It's never been said you can not gamble but where does it stop? The soldiers gambled for Christ's clothing was it a sin to do so?
Drinking is not a sin in it self but how many people get drunk and kill people with cars? Which is the SIN here?
No man is perfect in preaching or teaching so that means the disciples or Paul was not correct in their preaching and teaching or was they? If they were why? Was it because of the Holy Spirit came on them, then who is to say when the Holy Spirit comes on a minister or teacher of today?
Another great job Bamaphil, I sure enjoy these with you my brother. May God Bless you measurably. Love ya'll. God Bless!

Everything that is recorded in Scripture is the inspired Word of God, so it is right.  None us of understand even a fraction of a percentage of who God is though so my thinking is that even when we have the right idea we can't fully and accurately explain God's character and attributes, his plans, etc.


Sin begins in the heart long before it becomes an action.  Sinful actions are the result of not dealing with sinful desires. 

With the topics I mentioned, I think what began as wisdom in the American church many years ago, abstaining from potentially addictive and destructive actions, became law in the church.  It was, and still is, modern day Phariseeism to create laws that God did not give us. 

This is a great discussion.

Let's not forget how the 11 remaining disciples chose Judas's replacement.  There were 2 candidates that met all of the qualifications, so they essentially rolled the dice to see which one God wanted to be the new 12th member.  If Jesus had been against this type of game of chance with something so important, surely the 11 would have known it.  However it is never mentioned one way or the other in the scriptures, as far as I know.

I have always took this to mean that gambling, in moderation (as with all things), is not a sin all by itself.  Now, if you take your mortgage payment and go down to the dog track and lose it all instead of providing for your family, obviously that is not right.  But let's say you have a little extra money to spend on entertainment after you have paid your tithes and all your bills and you decide to play a slot machine instead of going out to dinner and a movie.  That hardly seems wrong to me, and if it were wrong I'm certain the bible would speak out against it specifically.  On the other hand, if you are 200 lbs overweight and you are going to see a XXX porno movie, it is not right to go out and stuff your face at a restaurant or go to see that kind of movie.

By the way, I'm not a gambler at all.  My gambling experience is buying 1 single lottery ticket years ago when a bunch of my buddies wanted to create a pool and then split the big jackpot if we won.

My understanding of choosing these 2 disciples was in no way a roll of the Dice nor a game of chance. The Holy Spirit sat upon the one they chose to replace Judas. To me the Holy Spirit is not a game of chance but a pure message from God as he speaks.
I also enjoy this scripture discussion very much.
I will say when I go to preach a message, I don't move till I am prayed up, how do i know when, is when I feel nothing of the Holy Ghost anymore.
I also read and study to show my self approved as the Bible tells us. I agree some Preachers or also runs, think they made the greatest message of all and they just Saved a 1000 people but no way did they do that. Then again maybe they did save these people because of the way they act after they claim they was Saved by the Preacher. To me no man brings forth the true scripture message unless he is of the Lord in this world. God Bless!

My take on this is that nearly everything we are involved in on a daily basis has the potential to be abused by us, whether it is food, drink, sex, money, etc. Anything that repacles God as the number one thing in your life is sinful. Food was given to us for sustenance, but it can certainly by addictive and its overconsumption is sinful. I have never seen anything in the Bible restricting the use of alcohol, though it warns against drunkenness. Moderation is always the key. Read the Word and KNOW what it says, don't just THINK it says such and such, or only take the word of a pastor.

"Read the Word and KNOW what it says, don't just THINK it says such and such, or only take the word of a pastor."

This a mouthful in itself. Why you ask? The word that says Read the Word and Know. Most people especially Christians don't read the word daily. Do you read the Word daily? You will have duct tape excuses. We give Sunday a couple of hours of our time so we can do what we like the rest of the time. The Old time Pastor says this is wrong but what does he know I live just as good as he does! That is the mindset of the people of the world as well as most Christians. If the Pastor is so wrong you need to fire him, get rid of him, or hang him but not to be left on the tree all night. (pun intended) just had to use this one.
If you took a poll on CRS just for instance of how many people read their Bible daily even if it is one scripture, how many would laugh, or even lie? Ye, I said lie a very ugly word. The Pastor, I get your meaning but we all have to start somewhere to get the people to  read the Word of God.
Good job cbbama99. I enjoy your post. God Bless!

I'm sure you know I was referring to Acts 1:23 to 26 where it talks about them casting lots to see which one God wanted.  I have no idea what casting lots means, but my understanding is that it is the old testament equivalent of rolling the dice.  Forgive me if I have interpreted this incorrectly.

This is from the NIV:


Of course God was in control of how this came out, but normally casting lots was a game of chance that people in the old days used for gambling I believe.  So the point I wanted to make is that they probably would not have chosen this method if it was offensive to God to cast lots.

^^^THIS^^^

Ricky you make it very easy for me to read the word daily with the devotionals you post.  I truly appreciate that.

 #+

If Pastors are chosen by Titus 1:6-9 then the pastor should be ordained and know how to come before you with the correct Word.
Now if as some do today, they ordain gays or women to preach the gospel then those pastors would not be in my mind good to listen to. "1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." Our churches are not always honoring the word is the reason the right Pastors at times are not bringing the Word. Thanks brethren so much, it feels good to have honest understandings of the Bible. God Bless you all!

Hey brother ricky, I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I looked back over my post and I wasn't very clear on something. I greatly appreciate our pastors, and those that are truly called by God are essential in the preaching and teaching of the Word. What I meant to say is that once you hear what a pastor has to say, go back to your home and study the Word and ask for God's guidance in doing so to see if what was said was of God and not of man. I had a campus pastor when I was at UA always tell us that we should not take his words as gospel, but read the Bible for ourselves and see if what he was saying is true.

The Bible says those who preach and teach are worthy of double honor, so followers of Christ should appreciate the work that pastors put into studying and teaching the Word.  They should also examine what their pastors say in light of their own knowledge of Scripture.  Pastors should also be encouraging people to get into the Word and study on their own, something that wasn't really done in the church I grew up in.  

Oh Lord no cbbama99 you never offend me. I think what you add is wonderful. We should discuss pastors and how they dabble the Word. I brought up the Chapter in Titus because if a Pastor is truly in knowledge of the pure Word of God he is suppose to match what is in Titus. Love you all. Please bring more discussion to our daily thoughts for more training. The Disciples even discussed it at times, Remember what Christ said: "It will not be so among you." Praise God.

Great discussion guys. I enjoyed reading everyones comments. E-cred to all for the excellant points you made.  #+