[Sorry folks, I think I'm going to make this a last post to the list on
this subject. If anybody feels they have to discuss this privately, that's
fine, but, please, no more to the list. I don't want to lose the focus of
this list which is Praise to the Lord]

Hi Lisa and everyone

Lisa I am so blessed to hear that God has been with you and your family and
given you such a great year.

Folks, just some quick clarification for the record. First, I hope nobody
thought I'd posted this as a result of something on another list. What I
posted was because of a recurring debate on numerous lists over many
months. Second, when I posted the original message I hope nobody thought I
was condemning anybody. I definitely didn't mean to. What I wanted to point
out was that suicide in itself is a lie of satan, one of the many ways he
will try to trap us (In fact, I could have posted on just about any of
satan's lies and traps in our lives, but I just felt that on that
particular day, I needed to use that example - and I'm glad I did because
we received such an encouraging testimony from Holly. It's not a subject I
like discussing or talking about and it's not a subject I'm at all
comfortable with). It is not for us to judge somebody if they think about,
attempt or commit suicide, because it is God who will have the final
judgment over that person and our opinions will not affect His judgment
because He is a God of Truth and Love and He is a just God.

You see folks, to me the key word in everything is BELIEVE. If you say "I
believe in Jesus", WHAT do you believe about Jesus? Do you believe He
existed? Well, there is no denying that, it's not only Christians who
believe that, Muslims and Jews also believe He existed (as a prophet). Do
you believe He is the Son of God? Well, there is no denying that either
(Matthew 3:17). In fact, even satan and his evil followers believe that to
be true (Matthew 8:28-32 and Matthew 4:1-11). Do you believe He died for
your sins? Yes? Well, that's an excellent start; it's the first step.
However, there is something even more important than just believeing Jesus
died for our sins. In the King James Version, it's put like this "He that
hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him." and in Today's English Version, it's put like this
"Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the one's who love me.
My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal
myself to them." (John 14:21). Folks, if you BELIEVE Jesus died for your
sins, can you believe it without loving Him, and if you don't love Him can
you genuinely BELIEVE that He died for your sins? Folks, Love is not an
option, it is a commandment (Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the great
commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This
is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets.") Now, based on this, if we are put in a position
where we have a choice as to whether we live or whether we die; we need to
ask oursleves this: if we choose to die, are we doing it out of love for
God and love for our fellow man, or are we doing it for our own purpose?

Ok, just a bit of clarification on my original thoughts.

Have a blessed day!

-- 
Earl
<>< <>< <>< <><
May God bless you

blessing-a-day-owner@...

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