VACATION WITH GOD
WHEN YOUR GO ON VACATION THERE ARE ADVISABLE AND INADVISABLE
ACTIVITIES TO DO.
I AM
SURE YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES SUITABLE FOR CHRISTIANS.
THERE
ARE MANY THINGS TO DO ON VACATION BUT NOT ALL ARE ADVISABLE FOR THE CHRISTIAN.
DO NOT
GO ON A VACATION FROM GOD BUT RATHER MAKE ROOM FOR GOD IN YOUR PLANS.
RECREATION
IS A NECESSARY PART OF THE WELL BALANCED LIFE. DOCTORS SAY THAT A WELL BALANCED
LIFE SHOULD INCLUDE WORK, RECREATION, COMPANIONSHIP, AND RELIGION. TIME AND
ENERGY SHOULD BE ALLOCATED BETWEEN ALL THESE ACTIVITIES.
REMEMBER
TO BASE OUR VACATION CHOICES ON
PRAY
ABOUT YOUR VACATION AND TAKE TIME TO LISTEN. MANY VACATION SPOILERS CAN BE
AVOIDED IF WE TALK TO GOD FIRST.
MOST
OF ALL I PRAY YOU ALL WILL ENJOY A MEMORABLE TIME ON YOUR VACATION AND THAT YOU
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE GOD!
TWELEVE
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING
YOUR
1.
Will this activity violate my personal conscience?
Romans
If you
offend your conscience because you do something without faith, to you it is
‘SIN’.
Study
your Bible to be sure that what you do is in accordance with God's will.
2.
Will my doing it cause others to fail, or stumble, in their faith?
I Corinthians
10:23-33 All things are lawful for me, but all things
are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let
no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the
shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.If
any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go;
whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But
if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for
his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for
the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other:
for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I
give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God. Give none offence, either to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking
mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
Though
one having strong faith may participate in an activity without offending his
own conscience, he must consider the conscience of others who do not have the
same knowledge and faith. Do not risk leading a weaker,
or younger Christian away from
3. WILL GOD BE glorifIED while doing it?
I
Corinthians
4. Will this put me under evil influence?
I
Thessalonians 5:21,22 Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
You
must be constantly on guard so that you are not led into non-Christian
practices by your friends (peer pressure). If you think you have strong enough
faith to resist temptation, take heed, lest you fall!
I
Corinthians
5. Will it conflict with my duty?
Matthew
6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Put God
and his kingdom first in all life's activities.
6. If I do
it, will it bring reproach on
I
7. Will my
walk of faith be strengthened or weakened?
I
Corinthians
Self-control
is a fruit of the Spirit of God, which dwells within the believer.
Galatians
5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no
law. And they that are
Self-control
can be learned. It needs to be practiced, be a doer of the Word not just a
hearer.
8. Is it work
of the flesh?
Galatians
5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of
the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not
inherit the
One
may know what is right, but in a moment of temptation, he may fail. The Spirit
may be willing, but the flesh is weak. Don't put yourself at risk.
9. Will it
arouse indecent or immoral conduct?
Philippians
4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Reading
books and magazines or viewing television and movies, which create indecent desires is contrary to Christianity.
10. Will this
activity weaken my influence as a Christian?
I
Corinthians
Never
violate your own conscience to please a sinful associate; just because others
do it doesn't make it acceptable for you.
11. Is it
legal and right?
Romans
13: 1-8 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do
that which is good, and thou shalt
have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth
not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger
to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must
needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For
this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending
continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute
to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom
fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.”
You
should respect the rights of others and the law of the land. Do not try to
overcome evil with evil. The civil laws are meant to protect you. Illegal
activity is never acceptable for the Christian!
12. Does it
violate my parent's wishes?
Ephesians
6:1-4 1: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first
commandment with promise;) That it may be well with
thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye
fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
There
are young people who would still have their health, and others who are dead who
would be alive today, had they listened to their parents whom they considered
"square".
Take God
on vacation with you! May God bless you in making these principles a part of
your life.
WE
WISH YOU THE VERY BEST OF VACATIONS!
Have a
GOD-day!
