First experience, one night this week, we were having trouble...our lessons fell through...our divisions fell through...and nobody wanted to talk to us. We decided to do something different. We decided to go to another church. We went to a Pentacostal church here. It was at night on like Wednesday, so there weren´t many people there, but it was a good service! The pastor had a good lesson.( Though he was off just a little bit when he said that their church is the only true church because the Bible is the only book that talks about Christ. lol) The people of the church were super excited that we came! Afterwards, they gave us CHILEANO HUGS! ( For the women, includes a kiss on the cheek with a hug) We realize that we aren`t supposed to do that, but if you don´t, it is really disrespectful, so we felt that if we didn´t it would hurt the work...so we went with it. One of the things I liked about the sermon, was that the lpastor said "God didn´t create evil...there is evil in the world because of the poor choices of US!" So true.
Another experience that was pretty sweet...so we were walking in the street one day...again not having much luck, but I walked by a Catholic women in the street and said "Hola, buenas." In Chileano, that means "Hello, good evening." She just smiled at me and said "Elder bendiga." That means "Elder, bless you." That was very refreshing, especially since usually the Catholics are very hateful towards us. It is just nice to see somebody else that understands our purpose, to invite others to come unto Christ and be perfected in him through the power of the atonement...nothing more. :)
The last thing is kinda funny. So we were preaching a lesson one night with a recently reactivated family...the Acosta family. The parents are active now, but now we´re working on their kids. ( One has an interview tomorrow to receive his calling by the way.) I had had like two sandwhiches already, so I was feeling pretty good.....the hermana just stared at me and said "Elder, pancito." lol That means, "Elder, there´s bread." lol Or, in other words, eat more! So to be polite I ate another two sandwhiches....she looks at me "Elder, pancito." LOL Long story short, she wasn´t satisfied until I had eaten like 7 sandwhiches...and she gave us chips to take home. lol
The verses this week are as follows:
1) Omni 1:26 " And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue infasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
2) Alma 28:14 "...And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord...
3) "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in agood works, that Christ, the bLord God Omnipotent, may cseal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who dcreated all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
I felt inspired to share this this week. I feel that as a body, we do a pretty good job at being dedicated in our works and activity in the church, but there is room for improvement. With every act of love and obedience, we draw closer to the Lord. Although acts of love are very important and leave a lasting impression, they mean NOTHING if you don´t allow the gospel to change you. As Omni says, we should offer not just our works, or our tithing, or our energy, but our ENTIRE SOULS! There is a monumental difference in a missionary that does good acts, and one that gives his soul to the Lord...it is readily apparent when you see it. It is the same with members of the church....with all of us! We all have the potential to be changed, but many of us don´t allow it. If we allow this alteration of our souls to occur, we will become like Heavenly Father, and he WILL seal us his....for now, and for all eternity.
I just want to testify of the changing power of the atonement. It is perhaps our greatest gift from Heavenly Father, behind maybe only our agency. The atonement will carry you, through all of your trials and tribulations and your heart-ache, but you have to let it. I am so greatful for the gospel and the Plan of Happiness. I pray that each of you would allow yourselves to be changed, to be perfected, through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Con Amor,
Elder Jackson
No comments:
Post a Comment