It was interesting to read through these Salvation stories in Week 15 Salvation Shorts and to find that one of the testimonies was my own--about how my grandmother taught me the faith (even though we did not speak each other's language) and about my father's faith return.
I was moved by the story about the woman who was living a lesbian lifestyle. I have been appalled by the conservative churches I used to attend--how UNwelcoming they were to any LGBTQ people, those who appeared poor and messy, addicts, even excommunicating a bipolar woman who had (in her manic phase) slept around. My repeated experience is one of Pharisees who are not tempted by these "blatant" "sins" and who eagerly point out the flecks in other's eyes--flecks to which they have NO temptation. BUT...I often saw men NOT reproved for adultery, abuse of wives, gluttony, greed, selfish ambition, neglect of children, etc. The sins that were tempting were glossed over.
Yelling at other people about their sins does NOTHING to help them seek the LORD or learn the gospel! We need to LOVE others, no matter their state in life. As a nurse, I have worked with ALL kinds of people in the hospital. I have seen the love and kindness of so-called "sinful" prostitutes, lesbians, gay men, drunks, addicts etc. I have seen the hatefulness, greed, and selfishness of supposedly "Christian" church people. At my son's wedding, while my "godly" husband left early to go off with the OW, a kind gay couple sat with me and were kind to me.
I have, of course, seen the opposite, too. My point is...we are ALL sinners; other people's sins are NOT worse than ours! Sin, any sin, separates us from our Heavenly Love. Everyone needs to hear of His LOVE!
We cannot save others. All we can do is KINDLY and generously share with others--no matter their condition, constantly seeking HIS guidance as to how to spend our days.
Dear Friend, This might be strange; it might seem upside down. SEEK HIM and ask HIM to show you! Seek Him constantly!
Reading this is a reminder that all salvation is FROM HIM. He might allow us the blessing of sharing in the moments, but His Holy Spirit is what makes the change, in whom HE desires When HE desires!
Psalm 121 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
ONLY HE can make a real difference--and all JOY will come from trusting in HIM.
~ Beverly
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Restoration Fellowship is about to complete the workers@home series—starting a brand new series on September 8th—Salvation Stories!
As before, we're excited because this is going out as One blog and One newsletter in 3 languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Isaiah 49:6 MSG "I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!”
Revelation 7:9 NET Bible "After these things I looked, and here was an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe, people, and language..."
If you're not yet one of our RF Members, there's still time to join and take part. Just visit https://loveatlast.org where you'll find the application at the bottom.