Hi there.  This is a new section I have added (with the help of the Almighty of course!) and it's basiclly a place where my friends have chosen a bible verse or something else and they try to explain it.  It's a great way to learn about what others think about the verse.  Hey you can send me your verse at: cptlee@hotmail.com!  yeah.  So on to what they have said.
 

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:17  (NLT)

There are two types of sin we commit.  These are the sin of commission
and the sin of omission.  Sins of commission are those sins we know as
murder, stealing, adultery, cheating, lying, gossiping, and so on.  Sins
of omission are all those things we should do, but don't.  It
would be easy for us to think sins of commission were the worst of the
two, because, after all, are they not the sins which are the cause of
all the hurt, pain and suffering in the world?  Sins of omission are
just us not doing stuff, so that cannot be too bad.  Shouldn't it be
enough that we are not doing bad things?
I am of the opinion that both are equally bad, although in some was
sins of omission may be the worst of the two.  Look at it in this way
Yes, sins of commission are evil and cause pain in the world, and in>some shape and form we all commit them.  However, when we commit sins f
omission we are preventing good things from God to enter the world.
Sins of omission are acts of disobedient against the will and desire of
God.  When we commit sins of omission we are snuffing out the light of
God.

We live in a world of pain, suffering, and hurt; not only because people
commit sins but also because many are not doing the good that Christ has
placed on our hearts.  It's as if there is a deadly virus killing
millions and we have the cure but are not sharing it.  Millions will
die, not because we have some part in the disease, but because we have
the cure and are not sharing it.

As a result, we become people who commit acts of sin but refrain from
acts of goodness.  In the end we become people who are obedient to Satan
and disobedient to God.  As Christians, our goal should be to have
hearts which desire the reverse.  We need to be obedient to the call of
God in our lives and desire to do His will.  Then--and only then--will
we be the true people of God.
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Praise The Lord

 Obviously you can't tell what that means. Of course not. It's computer language for Praise The Lord. As some of you know, that is the saying I have been using the past 6 months or so. ITs a nice little way to end a message or email with PTL! It;s also a opening to start witnessing to someone. I've used it lots of times!  Everytime I use it, people are like" What does that mean?" So, I tell them what it means and stuff, and since the topic is open, we begin to talk about it, sometimes people are rude about it, but most are genuinely interested!  I know msot christians find witnessing hard, but, it is something we should try to be doing. Not forcing christianity on anyone. Taht is not good. People are appaled with Christianity when we do that, but every once in awhile, just talk about it.
 Once, in yahoo chat rooms, there were some very vulgar things happening in a chat room I was in, so I went around to all the christian rooms, and I rounded up as many willing people as I could, and they followed me around as we went to chat rooms where ungodly things were happening. We just sang christian songs, did the " I love Jesus, yes I do, I love Jesus, how bout you?" Soon as we started, people clammed right up, and stopped doing the disgusting things they were doing. I've actually led someone to the Lord in one of those rooms, so believe me, GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!!!!
 I know sometimes it seems like you've done nothing for God, that the attempt you have made has amounted to nothing, but when I think of that, I read this parable that I found.

 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says," Rejoice with me: I have found my lost coin." In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in teh presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents"Luke 15:8-10

 So, everytime JUST ONE PERSON comes to the Lord, remember, "There's a party going on, a party going on in HEAVEN!"(lyrics from Heart Attack).  I just wanted to share with you that little parable, and hope that we are working to witness to others no matter where we are, airplane, internet, phone, camp, mall, school, wherever. WE are the only way people get to meet Jesus, is through us. So, BE A SHINING LIGHT, and forever love God!

PTL!
Love you guys!
Amber
 

Friends,
        Today I chose Deut. 27:18.  When it says the blindman, I see him to
mean non-Christians or even Christians that aren't up to snuff in their
relationship with Him.  By leading them away from Him, we're pushing
them and ourselves farther and farther away- which in the end will make
it harder to get back.  We need to lead a lifestyle that will not
discourage them, but one that will glorify His name and draw people to
us, which will actually be drawing them to Him.
-Steph  <><
 

This one is very hard to understand and it's not what Steph said it's the verse.  I commend you Steph on doing a very hard verse.  God Bless!

Here ya go,
        I just stumbled upon it, and I don't really know if there's going to be
a big deep meaning coming from it, but, here it goes:
Isaiah 57:1,11,12.
The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are
taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to
be spared from evil.
Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and
have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts.  It is not
because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?
I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not
benefit you.

Okay, now to break it down.  "The righteous perish"- those who conform
to Christ suffer utter ruin or spiritual death, "and no one ponders it
in his heart;"  so maybe this means that they don't even take time out
to contemplate why this happened.  They don't stop and try to help the
righteous one back to his feet.  They don't have "time."  "devout men
are taken away... to be spared from evil" so this means that God takes
the righteous ones to Heaven so that they don't have to be tempted and
taunted by the devil and his helpers.  When it says that "no one
understands" it could mean that they CAN'T understand because they don't
have a personal relationship with the Lord so they can't even begin to
understand.  If you drop in at a club of some type and you see them call
someone to the front and they are given some kind of reward, if everyone
was to begin clapping, you wouldn't know what was going on.  You
wouldn't have a clue why this person was receiving this reward- because
you're not part of the club.  So, that's kind of what this is.
"Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and
have neither remembered me or pondered this" (the first question of vrs.
11) "in your hearts?"  Now here I'm not sure if he's meaning that the
answer is the devil or God.  Was he afraid of the devil.. or was he
afraid of God's wrath or what?  I really don't have a clue.
"I will expose your righteousness and your works" this could mean the
day of judgement, "and they will not benefit you."  So, everything that
you did will come right back at you.  The ol' I'm-rubber,-you're-glue
theory.

So, that's my verses.  I'd really, REALLY like to hear your
interpretations of those verses.  Maybe they don't even work together,
but... oh well.  So, when you send your verses, if you have time at the
end, please respond.  Have a great weekend.
Steph  <><
 

Friends,
Alright I'm going to come from John 15:1,2 :"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch inme that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." I think this is very important in our lives... we must always remeber to prune ourselves, we need to get rid of the things that are holding us back, and continue to work on the things that are bringing us forward! Okay I have more it's all from John 15 so from here on I'll just put the verses! 4 "Remain in me, and I will remain in you." This is where i get the idea that there is not the secure salvation.... I believe fromt his verse and others, that we can choose to loose our salvation, and that we choose to leave God not God leaving us. 4 continued " No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." God is like our tree of life.... he is our stump and we are just part of his many branches.... we need God to help us prune ourselves and live a Godly life! 5-6 "I am the vine: you are the branches. If a mean remains in
me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers: such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." I think God is talking baout HELL when he refers to the stick being burned if we fall from his tree! We need God always... other wise our lives are useless! Okay I htink I'll quit there, but feel free to finish the chapter it's pretty good!
Love and Prayers,
  Julie

Here's a great on from Steph again.   God Bless and thanks again Steph.

Okay,
        Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

"And we know"  It's not that we just wonder or think, "we'll... maybe"
it says that we KNOW
"that all things" not just somethings and not just everyonce in awhile.
ALL things.
"work together for good"  not only does everything have an effect on
everything else and not only do they work together, but the bible states
that they are working together for GOOD.  They are not working together
for good and then every now and then a bad thing.  God says that it is
for good and that it is ALL things working for good.  It may not even
seem like it's for the good, at the time, but God has his timing and we
must be patient for the right time.
"to them that love God" Plain and simple.  For those who have a
relationship with Christ Jesus all things will work out for good.  It's
not saying that if you don't love him, that everything is going for the
good for you, too.  This is something that God has blessed us with, as
Christians.
"to them who are called according to His purpose"  Now that we know that
He is there for us and will provide for us and that He's on our side, we
must follow him in whatever He calls us to do.  No more guessing games.
If He calls us, we'll know, and we don't need to question the goodness
of it, or whatever, because it's all in His master plan.  We need to
place our trust in Him, in whatever decision because we know that no
matter what He's on our side.
Steph  <><
 

At times I can get to the point where I have totally worn myself out, I
am exhuasted and don't feel like I have time for God. I am always
reminded of the love that God has for me....when I am feeling down or
upset I think of God and he lifts me up. At this moment I am reminded of
Romans 8:31-39, he loves me in spite of me! Sometimes I start to feel
that when I don't deserve God's love I receive more of it. Our God is a
forgiving one and I love him.....Please read this prayer and when you
are done pray for yourself and think about what I have said.....
  Dear Father, I thank you for the love that you give me. I understand
that at times I don't desearve your love. Father I thank you for what
you have done for us, you died so that another could live, and for that
I give thanks to you.  Father please guide me and show me what is right
from wrong Lord. Help me to see that I should love myself for who I am
not what others want me to be. And when I am to tired and worn out to
praise you to give me strength Lord. Heavenly Father please give me the
strength to see you from a better perspective God. Like a friend
said'what would God do if he came back right now and saw you doing
that?' Lord I thank you for the love and trust you have for me. I pray
this in your Holy and Precious Name Amen.

We have to remember when we become angry or upset, that putting on a big
show and going crazy isn't going to help either of the parties
involved.  If we keep ourselves in control, our thoughts will remain
organized and clear and God will give us the right words to get through
to the other person.  It's alright to be angry, this verse isn't denying
that.  It's how you deal with that anger.  This verse isn't only telling
us how to handle our anger when confronting the person, but it's also
saying, maybe not directly, that we need to take time out to think
things through and see all sides of the situation before we act on it.
We need to take control of our anger.  By saying that a wise man keeps
himself under control, it's kinda saying that we need to confront those
we're upset or mad at, that we're not to hold it forever, BUT if we
handle it wrong, we are fools.
Steph  <><
 

This verse is preceeded by verses talking about man alone compared to
man with a friend.
Eccl. 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that
is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

This is just saying, simply, that we are to be there for one another.
It's awesome being surrounded by Christians, and that's what we should
do in our every day life: surround ourselves with children of the King.
It shouldn't be only on Friday nights and only for someone to sit with a
church.  All of the time.  Christians struggle, too, and they need
someone to be there for them when they fall, to help them up, to dust
them off, and to point them in the right direction.  Too many times we
think that Christians don't have big struggles because they can just go
to the Lord, but we need to take a step back and look at our own lives.
We struggle as Christians, and so do other Christians.  We need to be
there for each other and encourage each other that what they're doing is
for the greatest prize in the end and that we're here for them and that
we're praying for them.
I'm praying for each of you guys and each of you are your own unique
blessing to my life.  Have a great day.
Steph <><
 
 

His Plan For Your Mate:
   You long to give yourself completely to someone...to haev a deep
soul relationship with another..to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.. BUT GOD SAYS:  "No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and contented with being loved by me alone...
   With giving yourself unreservedly to me..to having an intensely personal and unique relationship with me alone, discovering that only
in me is your satisfaction to be found, then you will be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you.
    You will never be united with another until you are united with Me...exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings.  I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing..one that you cannot imagine.
    I want you to have the best.  Please allow me to bring it to you.  Just expect the greatest things..keep on listening and learning the things I tell you.  Just wait.  That's all.  Don't be anxious.  Don't worry.
    Don't look around at the things others have gotten or that I've given them.  Don't look at the things you think you want.  Just keep looking off and away and up to me, or you will miss what I want to show you.  And then when you're ready,  I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you would ever dream of.
   You see, until you are ready and until the one that I have for you
us ready ( I am working even at this very moment to have both of you ready at the same time).  Until you are both satisfied exclusively with me
and the life that I have prepared for you.  You can't experience the love
that exemplifies your relationship with me, and thus is perfect love.
   And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love, in my time.  I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union
of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with myself, know that I
love you very much.  Believe it and be satisfied."
 

Sent by Amber

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME AND ALL THROUGH THE OUSE,
NOT A CREATURE WAS PRAYING, NOT ONE IN THE HOUSE,
THEIR BIBLES WERE LAIN ON THE SHELF WITHOUT CARE,
IN HOPES THAT JESUS WOULD NOT COME THERE.

THE CHILDREN WERE DRESSING TO CRAWL INTO BED,
NOT ONCE EVER KNEELING OR BOWING A HEAD,
AND MOM IN HER ROCKER WITH BABY ON HER LAP,
WAS WATCHING THE LATE SHOW, WHILE I TOOK A NAP.

WHEN OUT OF THE EAST THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER,
I SPRANG TO MY FEET TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER.
AWAT TO MY WINDOW I FLEW LIKE A FLASH,
TORE OPEN THE SHUTTERS, AND THREW UP THE SASH!

WHEN WHAT TO MY WONDERING EYES SHOULD APPEAR?
BUT ANGELS PROCLIMING THAT JESUS WAS HERE!
WITH A LIGHT LIKE THE SUN, SENDING FORTH A BRIGHT RAY,
I KNEW IN A MOMENT THIS MUST BE THE DAY!

THE LIGHT OF HIS FACE MADE ME COVER MY HEAD,
IT WAS JESUS! RETURNING JUST LIKE HE HAD SAID.
AND THOUGH I POSSESSED WORLDLY WISDOM AND WEALTH,
I CRIED WHEN i SAW HIM IN SPITE OF MYSELF.

IN THE BOOK OF LIFE, WHICH HE HELD IN HIS HAND,
WAS WRITTEN THE NAME OF EVERY SAVED MAN.
HE SPOKE NOT A WORD AS HE SEARCHED FOR MY NAME,
WHEN HE SAID"ITS NOT HERE", MY HEAD HUNG IN SHAME.

THE PEOPLE WHOSE NAME HAD BEEN WRITTEN WITH LOVE,
HE GATHERED TO TAKE TO HIS FATHER ABOVE.
WITH THOSE WHO WERE READY, HE ROSE WITHOUT A SOUND,
WHILE ALL THE REST, WERE LEFT STANDING AROUND.

I FELL TO MY KNEES, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE!
I HAD WAITED TOO LONG, AND THUS SEALED MY FATE.
I STOOD AND I CRIED AS THEY ROSE OUT OF SITE,
OH,IF ONLY I HAD BEEN READY TONIGHT!

IN THE WORDS OF THIS POEM, THE MEANING IS CLEAR,
THE COMING OF JESUS IS DRAWING NEAR!
THERE'S ONLY ONE LIFE, AND WHEN COMES THE LAST CALL,
WE'LL FIND THE BIBLE WAS TRUE AFTER ALL.
Sent by Brienna

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