Time with Abba, Singing Praising 親親爸父，唱詩歌頌 : DAY 471 - Is Playing Computer Games Sin? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Monday, September 2, 2013

DAY 471 - Is Playing Computer Games Sin? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

**NEW link for the 14th: 13th 100 days 24 hours prayer campaign (We are going to use this 13th list leads up to the 14th. 13th from March 15 to June 22, 2013. 14th from June 22 to August 31, 2013)

Today's Reading: Romans 7:7-12

Paul gives us a good understanding in this passage that the law is not sin but holy and good. The problem is when we break it, then it has no effect on us because the law is pointing us to life. Our breaking of the law leads us to death.

Bishop N.T. Wright's says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):

Paul's point is that when God gave Israel the Torah, Israel copied Adam by breaking it. Underneath this is the point that 'sin' was latent within Israel all along, so that the effect of the holy and good law was bound to be that Israel broke it. The conclusion Paul draws from this, to our surprise perhaps but fully in line with his own agenda, is the 'the law is holy; and the commandment is holy, upright and good' (verse 12)...

What did the law promise? According to verse 10, 'life'. Again and again, but particularly in passages like Leviticus 18:5 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20, the Torah held out to Israel the promise that those who faithfully observed it would enjoy life, while those who broke it would incur death.

N.T. Wright. Paul for Everyone:Romans: Part 1. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.112.

So, you know lots of things in your church, lots of things you know needs to do and lots of things you know not to do, do those things you learn lead you to life? What I mean is that without your personal intimate relationship with Jesus, can those things lead you to life?

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

What I heard from Jesus today is: Is playing computer games sin?

What I got from Jesus today is a situational question for us to think about today. I do not know whether you play computer games or not. I was once crazy about playing computer games wasting lots of my time and energy. I am still playing chess using my iPhone sometimes to "boot up" my left brain, ha, ha.

Yesterday Michelle and I were walking leisurely in downtown Seattle. We saw thousands of people with some kind of badges hanging on their necks. Some of them were having all kinds of weird dress. I took pictures on two. One dressed like a Police Special Force with a fibre grass shield holding on his left hand like he is going to tackle with a group of demonstrators. One is a witch long gown. I saw a lady dressed just like the girl in the movie, Hunger Game with a bow on her shoulder.

Then we found out there is a big four days event here in the Conference Centre of Seattle. I asked some guys with those badges. You know what they said, "It's all about computer games. It's the world championship game final and lots of things about computer games. It's fun!" All the badges were sold out and some people were selling badges outside the conference centre(I think illegally). There are 200,000 people bought badges in this conference. 200,000! I asked a young man during breakfast just a few minutes ago, "Do you think Jesus can attracts so many people nowadays?" He said, "I don't think you." I said, "Why?" He said, "We don't care!" Wow, may be this is the issue we need to fast and pray to solve the puzzle!

Then we looked at those thousands of people. Some of them were good looking smart guys. Most of them were around the age of 20 to 40. Only a few more than 50. All of them were so happy walking along the streets waving there hands along. Quite a number of them with masks. I think this may be the best time for a robbery to the shops or banks because there were so many people wearing masks! Some of them were over 300 pounds and I think it is the result of seating in the chairs playing games for years.

When I come to the passage today. Jesus leads me to think of computer game playing. The use of computer games is perhaps for people to relax and have some entertainment. Get away from the pressure of our works. But, when people use that as to lead them to have more "life", then playing computer games become a false promise. It cannot leads you to the "Promised Land". When you play a wonderful game and you reach "Mission Accomplished" or "Game over", then you have to buy another one right away in order to seek for your continuous satisfaction. But, what if someone spend their whole life in just game playing, what good and life it can bring?

Jesus is the only way to lead us to life, not the Law, not your favourite computer games, movies, books, study or anything. Jesus is the only way! Be with Jesus each day is the only way!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help us to know that you are the only way to life. Lead us to be with you each day to enjoy life and that we worship you only. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.