Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is it ok to smoke marijuana?
In a word, NO! There are many good medical reasons to leave it alone, read any medical journal and you will read about the incredible damage done to the lungs and brains of those using this drug. God said not to destroy our bodies, which if we have received Christ into our lives, is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The intoxication caused by the drug will cause you to do things which are sinful in nature thus causing you to sin willingly. Remember this, when we intentionally disobey God, we will answer to Christ for our disobedience. There will be punishments meted out at the judgment seat of Christ as well as rewards!
2) Is it ok to smoke cigarettes?
No, it is not. Read the above, it applies to this question as well. Besides that, what about your testimony of the Power of Christ in your life. Do you think someone is going to listen to you if you are no different than they are? Probably not, people are looking for something real, lives changed, not people that are the same as they are.
3) Is it ok to drink alcohol?
No, read number 1 and 2 above.
4) Is it OK to gamble?
No, gambling does some horrible things to people. I live in the middle of legalized gambling here in Las Vegas, I see lives ruined every day by it. There is spirit of greed that takes over the lives of gamblers and causes them to gamble away every thing that they have and actually believe that they are having fun doing it! What is fun about taking the money you worked all week to get and giving it to a gambling operator who is going to use it to promote greed, drunkenness, lust of the flesh, etc. God is not pleased when we take the money that he provided for us and convert it to the use of his enemy the Devil. What if I win, is it OK then? No, you will become a bigger loser, guaranteed. I see it every day!
5) Is it OK to have sex outside of marriage?
No, God said not to commit adultery (extramarital relations) or to commit fornication (sex between unmarried people). Homosexuality is an abomination in God's eyes, so that is not acceptable either. To put this in proper context, if you are not married, then you should in no way be having sex, period! If you are married, then your marriage partner is the only one you should be having any kind of sex with, period! God has no exceptions to these rules.
6) Will God forgive me for having sex before marriage?
YES! God will forgive all of our sins, we need to ask him to forgive us and then move on with our lives. We cannot continue to live in our sin and expect that God will overlook it, He will not. The Bible tells us to Repent (turn away from sin) not live in it.
7) Should I go to Church?
Yes, this is a sermon in itself, but we need to be connected to a local body of Christ, known as a local church. There is only one church, and that is the body of Christ world wide. This is not some organization formed by men but rather each one of us who are saved by Him are members of His body, the Church. We need to be a part of a local church in order to learn and grow in His Grace and love. We need people to help us to grow and watch over us to avoid sin and falling away from Christ as well as avoiding falling into false doctrines of men. If you need to find a church near you, check you local newspaper and visit some churches near you. Ask friends that are Christians where they go and visit those churches. Check the phone book for listings and try some out. Pray and ask God where he would have you planted.
8) I'm a divorced woman, I have been told that God cannot use me in His church, I am told that God hates me, is this so?
In a word, NO!!! These are dogma's created by men, not God. The act of getting a divorce whether it be a man or woman, is sin. The good news is, God forgives sin. Ask Him for His forgiveness, turn from the sin that brought you down and get on with your life. As a reference, remember the woman caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus? Did Jesus consent to her being stoned by the people? No, he said "he that is without sin, cast the first stone". No one was found worthy to cast the first stone so they all went away. Jesus said to her, "go and sin no more" (John 8:3-11). God is interested in bringing you to a place of repentance and then restoring you to a place of usefulness to Him. Men may try to hold you down, but God will set you free! Remember this, it is Christ who died for you, it is God who justifies you, and it is God who calls people into His service, not men.