True Christians Do Not Smoke

God’s Warning: Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health..... and to your SOUL.

Campaigns regarding the negative effects of cigarette smoking to the human body are found in all forms of advertisement; whether it be in broadsheet, magazines, televisions, radios, and posters. Ironically, even the cigarette pack itself reminds people that it is so hazardous to health. Cigarettes devastate your looks, your health, and your funds. Do not be blinded by the deceit of the pleasures you are experiencing from smoking and stop defending it. It is interesting to note that even the Bible categorically commands us to do so: 1John 2:16,” For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Anything that harms men is from the devil, so do not give way to devil to harm you.

But i just wonder why there are still those that do not quit smoking. So what is it really that keeps people stuck? I researched on the main reasons while people smoke and i have found only 3 reasons when you sum it all up: First, they find repose on smoking. They feel relieved from stress and other negative feelings. Second, they are simple addicted to cigarette; they always desire this “poison stick” and always got the feeling that they should satisfy their craving. Lastly, they do not have the spirit of willpower to actually give up smoking.

Have you ever read articles that discusses advantages of smoking? On this regard, some may answer yes and these adavantages are: first it serves as stress-reliever. Second, gives something to do in awkward moments. Third, good social booster in some instances. Anything more? Well, never mind telling. All are shallow reasons, and all are unacceptable and justifiable. If a person feels stressed, pressured, down, troubled and sad, the best way is PRAY rather than sit somewhere and smoke. As it is being said in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
 

Smoking is one way of softly killing the body that God has given to men. Cigarette smoke is a poison composed of more or less 4000 chemicals that, when brought inside the body will swiftly attack the internal organs and will weaken the immune system. The most lethal among these toxins are nicotine, formaldehyde (used for preserving dead bodies), benzene (pesticide ingredient), heavy metals like arsenic (used to poison rat), cadmium (used in batteries). Well, no need to complete the list. These chemicals alone are already enough to kill a man. According to Leviticus 19:28 , “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” If God do not allow men to cut His skin, what more to destroy your internal system? Smoking is a doing of man who has no understanding of wisdom from God.

 

The human body is not intended for anything else. It is meant to be used for the likings of God. It is even written that a Christian’s body is a home of God, From 1 Corrinthians 3;16 we can read, “ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” How can you expect God to dwell in you if you are not taking care of yourself? If you know that it’s God’s house, then you should take care of it. You keep your own home clean because you and your loved ones inhabit it, right? Similarly, you must clean yourself for God to occupy “YOU”. Don’t expect God to take care of you if you don’t take care of yourself.

Also, being a smoker makes a human not a loving, father/mother, brother, sister, friend. Why? Because he endangers his so-called loved ones with second hand smoke. Compared to first hand smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke is as harmful as actual smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke has also been shown to increase the risk of developing lung cancer and nasal cancer and even heart disease. In addition, asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome have been linked to secondhand smoke, too. And one more, it contain compounds as class A carcinogens. Carcinogen is the term used for cancer-causing chemicals. If a smoker is not concern about the well-being of his family, this is what the bible say about him, in 1Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
                      

                                     Happy, healthy family

Following God’s words is not hard for those that Love God. And besides, all God’s commandments are for the merit of those that will obey Him. As Romans 7:12 says, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." if a person will not smoke, it is advantageous on his part. He will be spared on all the bad effects that smoking can give.

 

And, let us always remember that God did not make things hard for men, He made everything for the benefit of men because He loves us so much. 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Accepting God's commandments will only be grievous if a person is not really a follower. Saying is one thing but doing is another thing. So, be a Christian in deed.
 

Let us practice Christian living, do not exercise doing non-sense things like smoking!

Beautiful is Dissimilar from Flirt

”Iba ang maganda sa malandi”. (beautiful is dissimilar from flirt). This was straight from Kuya Daniel’s mouth during last Saturday’s thanksgiving to God. Kuya is again in his usual way of delivering meant jokes. He again reached our funny bones, Hahaha! He`was referring to those girls who wear unmodest clothes. He was highlighting on the difference of a lady really being beautiful, and a female who choose clothes for the purpose of just getting attention from men.

Kidding aside, this is really serious. Women these days are very much into wearing horribly revealing clothes. For the commandment of our creator –our GOD- this is a deliberate offense. Bible says in 1Timothy 2:9, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”. . Hence, women species should be dressed up in reserved manner.

Let us get first into the root cause of why women wear revealing clothes. Forthrightly, the bottomline is, these women seek attention. I myself can attest to this because i belong to the female species and I once feel the same way. Women feel flattered when men look at them with lust. Sad but true. Im sure that there would be would be foolish feminines that wants to oppose and shield their side. Well, let me state their most probable defenses: 1) they just feel comfortable on such clothes, and 2) they just set in with the latest fashion. 3.) and some brutally frank gals will straightly say that they really wanted to be noticed by the opposite sex. On the third reason- well, I am expecting that many females out there will strongly disagree and might even have violent reactions. No matter how you explain and and how good you reason out, sorry but that is the truth and you cant shake it. Even the bible supports this reality. Let us read in Jeremias 4:30 “And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. “

These clothes are already lusty in mannequins, what more if real woman wear this?

 One more thing, it is funny that some of those who wear lusty clothes are not even ready to have their sensitive body parts to be stared at! I remember one time, i was on a train ride. The sleeping girl sitting beside me was wearing a plunging neckline blouse.She was already very unconcious on how she is positioned. Her boobs was exposed and the man standing in front of her was silently staring! When she suddenly woke up, she got mad upon catching the man looking at her breasts. Though in reality, its 100% her fault, in my opinion. Why would she wear such cloth when she know for a fact that the shape of her boobs was so noticeable aside from the very low neckline of the blouse. Maybe, she got mad when she had this feeling that she was disrespected by the man.

Below is Cartooned Lara Croft of Tomb Raider

As what Bro. Eli is constantly  reminding us, men in nature have very wild imagination, and this simple but very careless and irresponsible act of females can cause serious costs. To add one more thing on this men’s “creative and cinematic” imagination, my friend brought another friend to our office. This guy was so jolly that he already get along with us so fast. He was once telling us that he is very fond of collecting pictures of sexy cartoon characters such as Lara Croft and others that i cant remember the names anymore. He was bragging to us that he posts it inside his bedroom because he was imagining before he sleep. Wow! I already consider it extreme. I am telling this only to emphasize that men are really like this. Seeing sexy ladies in compromising outfits-even in cartooned form!- can arouse the fancy of every man- and then, another sin starts. Rape cases, infidelity and even some crimes can be blamed to this. Why not save that for your husband. He is the only one who deserves (and has the right) to see your physical beauty. And for the singles, it is better to keep it reserved until such time that your dream guy comes along. You would probably make him proud that you are really kept for him. Of course men want their partners to look great, but looking great doesnt mean you have to show some skin. And one thing more, you also save those lustiful eyes and minds to commit sin. It is true that God has given mankind the gift of free-will but as being said in Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Beautiful but not lusty

On the other hand, being looked upon is really a nice feeling. But let yourselves be admired and looked upon because God’s beauty manifests in you. The beauty from within is what counts. Written in 1Timothy 2:10, But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Dont worry gals, you will not regret following what is right. God has reserved something very special for those that will abide His commandments. As He promised in Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Don't be mad. I tell these things because of love.

Just sharing my thoughts. To learn more on these, please see: http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/05/27/135/ . Bro Eli will definitely explain it deeper.