Saved FROM their sins vrs IN their sins

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Mosiah 15:26 

But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have willfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.

We almost need to break down each word so that we have a better idea of what it is all about or rather come to a common understanding

SAVED-healed, delivered, protected, preserves, made whole, kept safe & sound

IN- To be or keep in with, to be close or near

From- to come forth or out

so recap- being saved IN (By, through, or because of) their sins verses
Be saved from/out of their sins.

just two little words but it makes all the difference, depending on which one you are using


SIN- to miss the mark, to err, missing the point, out of harmony, misalignment

         when we don't see clearly because of our misconceptions,

         we miss the point AKA sin.

         misunderstand the purpose of living

         deviation from what we know compared to what we do

         when we violate our conscience

            when we turn away from our sincere understanding of what

         God's will is, whatever our circumstances may be.

Natural Man vrs New Creature in Christ

One wants to stay the same, wants circumstances to change but not ready, and or willing to let go, not willing to surrender ones self, nor to change at the core.


The other changes, dies to self, is baptized by fire/reborn or in others words "a new creature in Christ." I see in my minds eye- a Phoenix. The beautiful bird bursting into flames- dying to the old and a rebirth coming up from the ashes.


There is a reason why we are taught in the scriptures the how and why the Lord saves his people and why it is linked to repentance.


Repentance= fulfilling the commandments

                    turn hearts to God

                    to completely turn away from the world,
                    from our sins and turn completely to God (our hearts)

I repeat the following words from a friend of mine with you down below.

"Real repentance is a matter of the heart. When a person really repents, they change their core. The truly repentant address the core issue. If their sin is caused by selfishness, for example, they stop being selfish. They fix the problem, not the symptoms of it.

This manifests in all the outward behaviors that are in any way relevant to the core problem. When someone repents only at the surface level, they may chance a specific behavior or two, but you will see that their hearts are not changed because the same problem will continue to manifest in other behaviors.

If someone's repentant behavior changes back once the external stimulus is removed, then they have not truly repented. If they repeat their sin in any way, they have not truly repented... 

I implore you to inspect your life for willful disobedience and to purge it from yourself. Do not allow yourself to believe your own lies that your surface repentance is sufficient. Come to Jesus Christ with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, and be truly healed of your weakness through the things he will teach you. Expose all of your darkness to his light, and rejoice in the cleansing burning it brings." 

click here to read his full post.

Real repentance is a person who is actually saved FROM their sins. They want to change and have the help from the Lord to do so. Broken heart and contrite spirit. "Surface repentance" is likened to trying to be saved IN ones sin. Doesn't work, never has, and never will. 

I learn so much from the experiences of others including those found recorded in the scriptures.

Moroni 10:26

 And wo unto them who shall do these things away and die, for they die in their sins, and they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God; and I speak it according to the words of Christ; and I lie not.

2 Nephi 9:38-39 

And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

Alma 6:8 

And Alma went and began to declare the word of God unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins, and the holy order by which he was called. And thus it is written. Amen.

Alma 21:7 

Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?

There is so much that we can glean from the scriptures including this account from Alma the younger as he is teaching his sons. This is just a little snap shot. I encourage you to read the full account.

Heleman 5:10 

And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.

***This spring has caught many people by surprise, with the whole Covid-19 and having pretty much a global lockdown. Many wanting things to "return to normal". I see it as an opporunity to reflect, take stock and ask God that I may see things as they really are and to seek to know and do his will.***

What was interesting to me was so many including friends and family asking for God to remove/end this virus, to return things back to how they were. I asked the Lord about what people were really asking for, hense this blog post. Many want to be saved IN their sins. They love darkness more than light. Not willing to truly love God with ALL their heart, might, mind, and strength. They want to do a "surface repentance" instead of a true repentance- have their hearts (their core) truly changed. 

Q: Are you still a natural man/women OR have you had your Rebirth/your baptism by fire and are a new creature in Christ? 

We have an amazing God who's hands are still stretch out for us, wanting to embrace us. 

We just need to let go of the desire of being saved IN our sins and want to be saved FROM our sins. Crucify the flesh, have our full baptism and be like the Phoenix and rise from the ashes. 

Here are a few posts from others that go along with this. I highly recommend you take the time to read them and ask Father about what was presented and shared. Hope the links work,  I am so not tech savvy. LOL . Love, your sister in Yeshua (Christ)- Sally

Why should God stop coronavirus?

Questions About The Corona Virus 

This Lock-Down Is Great!

Repentance

My Sugar Addiction Part 3 of 3

 Instead of just summing things up or writing about it from a 2 year point of view, I thought sharing my own words from when I was going through this would be more valuable/helpful.

Below is excerpts taken from my journal where I recorded my new journey- one without all the treats.

Day 1- Received Heaven's help today. I was able to make Carol's choc. chip cookies and NOT be tempted to sneak into it or have a taste of either the cookie dough or a cookie. Baked them up for Ruben's Cub Choir which had their Christmas Concert tonight. He was asked to bring 2 dozen cookies. After the concert, I helped open a bunch of store bought cookies and was around the treats but didn't partake and really didn't have much of a desire to put that stuff in my mouth.
     Remembering the dream I had this past week has helped me in staying focus....I have given up sugar treats and know Heaven will help me.

This isn't about will power, but rather being meek, mild, humble and depending on the tender mercies of the Lord. Faith, trust, and obedience.

My body is a temple and I should treat it as such. 1 full week of being sick. On the mend now.

Day 2- ...Ruben's dinner choice for tonight was tacos and milkshakes. I choose water to drink instead. My immune system is more important then my taste buds getting a "fix". I value my body, my health, and choosing wellness...

Day 3-Helped Cliff make healthy and yummy Oat Nut Burgers. It's a recipe Bob gave me almost 3 years ago.......Let the kids have leftover choc. chip cookies (from Thursday). I choose not to partake. Later I took a small bite of Derek's cookie without thinking. Then when I was aware of what I did, I spit out the tiny bit in the garbage can.

Day 4 Sunday Dec. 15th, 2013
For my 1st weekly treat, I choose a strawberry yogurt and had 2 small slices of toast with honeybutter. At church today I handed out Ann's cinnamon rolls but for myself choose to gracefully decline. Was tempted for a few minutes tonight to eat one of our choc. chip cookies. But then I REMEMBERED the dream I had about the new path I am on, and had given up the treats and made a covenant with Father. Very tired today, but (my)lungs don't feel as heavy or maybe I'm getting used to it. No longer on fire. ....

Day 5-Did pilates this morning. Did some emotional clearings. Cookies are taking longer to eat because I'm not eating them. Upside down pizza for dinner. Waiting for my immune system to be restored and get my strength back...

Day 6- Forgot to call Scott (my oldest brother) and wish him a happy Birthday..Had a piece of toast and honey butter for snack tonight. Did pilates this morning. Felt good to stretch...Grateful for my body-a covering for me. I am an eternal being that has been spiritually reborn "Baptism of Fire" (I am child/daughter of Christ)
I know I will be a Joint-Heir with Christ. That knowledge is sure. Waiting for the 2nd Comforter and to enter into the "Rest of the Lord"

Day 9- Made peanutbutter balls for the Ward Christmas party. During the making process I absent mindedly tasted a tiny bit that was on my finger. Other then that I had no processed treats. The fudge looked good as well as the mint chocolate cake but I chose not to partake. Tonight after coming home I choose my dessert- A bunch of grapes. They tasted so good. I didn't work out today...

Day 11- Shared my new journey with Cathy, my mom, Cliff of course (my hubby) and today shared it with Bishop Lemmon and Mara. Mara thanked me for sharing with her my journey so far...She told me how a few years ago we talked about food, diet, ect and how I told her I had a sugar addiction and that I needed to probably change.
  Today during RS the teacher taught the lesson"Jepordary Style" she had treats for reward. The candy didn't interest me at all. The candy dish, was almost depleted with 10 min left of class. I said to Cathy-"Maybe I should refill the candy dish." She said I should. So I went to the cabinet and unlocked it and grabbed a couple bags of left over Halloween candy and spent most of the time left passing candy out between the 2 teams.

Soon as I knew that we would be playing the game for RS the Spirit let me know I needed to stepdown/not participate very much. I tend to be VERY competitive and knew I needed to not let myself get carried away. So I didn't answer the first few questions. I rang the bell a couple of times and reached over once causing a fellow RS sister to laugh at me. Another sister early on  told me the following, "Sally, you need to answer the questions so that I can get MY CHOCOLATE". I told her if she needed chocolate that bad, I would just go and open up the closet and hook her up with chocolate. She later made a comment how chocolate made her happy. I corrected her and said chocolate can't make you happy, I know this!

 After church I was offered a sugar cookie from Jason, but I declined. Now I need to focus on early to bed and early to rise and NOT eating right before bed.

Thank you to my Father in Heaven & my Savior Jesus Christ. I could not do this without them.

Day 14-Christmas Day I had 2 or maybe 3 small sliced of pumpkin bread. A small taste of Mom's pie. No candy or other sweets..planning on Pilates and  Body Flex tomorrow.

End of Excerpts

 

Update

 

From that time until last Thanksgiving I had no "treats". It felt great to no longer think, crave, dream about those things. As a bonus, I have had more energy and I lost 5 pounds. Last Thanksgiving I did have a sliver of pumpkin pie, on Dec 30th, my 16th Wedding anniversary I splurged and did have a small piece of cheesecake. This pass year I have had a handful of treats the most recent in October a few dark chocolates. I was reminded why I needed to stay away from that in the first place. That urge/desire to have more came back. The only temptation I had was after Halloween and seeing my favorite candy bar or rather my former favorite candy bar (it's been 2 years since having one) Milkway candy bars floating around in my children's Halloween bags, with even 2 full size bars. None of my kids care for those. (Probably because I have always snagged them up and they never really had the opportunity to eat them.)

 

I still give thanks to my Savior for helping me, for rescuing me from this addiction. Now on to my dairy addiction. Cutting back on that but still have a ways to go. But with my Savior at my side I know this will be taken care off. First is the desire to change. 

My Sugar Addiction Part 2 of 3

 

 

Next month will mark 2 years since the Lord (Yeshua) intervened and my addiction was broken. My answered prayers came in a way I was not expecting. I started to get sick, I mean really REALLY sick.  Heaviness in my lungs and they felt like they were on fire. I knew I was getting pneumonia (no I was not diagnosed by a doctor and didn't seek out medical help) but knew I could be healed (if it was God's will). I told him I had the faith to be healed. I fully expected that the Lord would approve this righteous desire of my heart and I petitioned the Lord. But the following conversation is what I had at the time. Although I didn't recognize it or rather the clarity wasn't there like it is now.  I heard his voice (thought to thought or spirit to spirit. I didn't hear an audible voice) however, it is a still small voice and I can recognize his voice now.

Yeshua- No my daughter, you will not be healed in this moment and in fact you will be sick a whole week. I am answering your many prayers.

me-Sick a whole week? (my spirits/hope was dashed).Which prayers will be answered,  what are you talking about?

Yeshua- Your sugar addiction/sweets

me-Oh, that!

Yeshua- It will take the whole 7 days for your body to detox. By being sick, it will help loosen your cravings for the sweets.

me-OK- (I didn't like the idea of being sick, but I really wanted the bands of addiction broken.) I submitted.

I usually don't sleep well when I am sick and when I dream while my body is sick it usually offers no solace or peace. So I was surprised when I woke up on the 3rd day and had a very powerful and vivid dream. One that was written upon my heart. I know now, that dream was given to me to help me later on when those temptations came. I would remember the dream I was given and the great strength in it.

Dream from Sat Dec 7th 2013
 I was in this little restaurant with a friend of mine. Society and he himself labeled him as "Gay". He had a dart board full of little balloons on them. For every balloon popped he would roll out his dough on the counter and make 2 biscuits, or was it doughnuts? I don't remember which one it was upon waking. There weren't a lot of costumers. He would go straight up to the board and hit the target. I told him that was cheating and he needed to wait for others to come and do it. Every 3rd turn would be his.
  Some people thought we were engaged because we were so close. They were uncomfortable with the "gay man" and even MORE disturb that me being a Mormon would have and surround myself around "Gay/Homosexual People." I told him I didn't accept his behavior. I told him (my friend) -"We live in a fallen world with fallen bodies and they come with tendencies, attractions but that is not US and through the Atonement of Christ HE can change our fallen nature. (We are all given our own "thorns of the flesh".)
I told him how him being attracted to his own sex was HIS thing he needed to work on (with Christ help) and not to yield to temptation and partake and go down the forbidden path. For me, my body was predisposed towards sugar, my addiction and how it wasn't UNTIL I turned to my Savior was I made whole. I knew I must stay away from it (the sugar). How it started with "store treats and candies' to cutting out homemade treats. In the dream my diet was fruits, veggies, nuts and bread. I loved my bread and the Lord told me I could keep it. Once a week I would have a treat that was yogurt with berries and whipped cream on top. Fresh cream that was whipped up.  This new way of eating had taken place 2 years prior to me talking to my friend. (It was a promise/covenant between the Lord and me).
      At a table my mom and other family members were there. Without even thinking about it I took a bite of dessert. Then I realized what I had done and started to spit it out and clean my mouth out.
 End of dream.

Excerpt form Journal 12/11/13

 This addiction is a thorn. I have turned to food, especially sweets for comfort and love INSTEAD of turning straight to God. I realize now that the Savior has invited me to lay my burdens at his feet and now I am doing just that!-End of excerpt

 

It isn't about Will Power or being Self-Reliant but being God-Reliant that truly counts.

 

I am forever grateful to a wonderful friend who is also my Lord and Savior that has broken the bands of this addiction for me.

 Now the real test came to see if I would keep this gift and continue down the new path or to turn back to my old patterns and lifestyle. Here's another way of putting it: like a dog that returns to his vomit.-2 Peter 2:22 comes to mind.

My Sugar Addiction Part 1 of 3

As I was pondering what the Lord would have me share next, it came in that instant-

" share your journey with your sugar addiction and how I have helped you. Share it ALL, the ups and especially the downs with others."

This will be broken up in 3 parts. This post is part of showing the "rest of the Iceburg". Only 10% shows above water (the best part of me, what I show to others) and about 90% below the surface. So often we mortals tend to compare our 90% with everyone else's top 10% (the part above the surface/the good and pleasant things). That is not fair to ourselves or to others. STOP COMPARING yourself to others, just STOP IT!  So without further adieu, on to something that had control over my life for many, many years.

Growing up I lived next door to a tiny little grocery store. It was very easy to take my pennies,  nickels, and dimes and buy some sour patch kids or little packages of Lemon Heads, Boston Bake Beans, or Red Hot's for a dime each. My next fix was only 30 feet a way. I didn't realize I was addicted to sugar for many, MANY years.

In a few weeks it will be 2 years since the Lord has broken the bands of my Treat/Sugar addiction for me. He did it in a very interesting way. One I will always be grateful for. Before this, I would fast off and on for 24-48 hours at a time. That seemed to help. For one, it brought to my attention how often I would (without thinking about it) pop something in my mouth. I was also my daughter's garbage disposal. After I would end the fast, I would be able to go a few days without a relapse. Then the whole cycle would start over again. I would use treats to fill "sweetness" in my life. I have also been an emotional eater. Sound familiar?

The craving would hit hardest after I had a meal especially after having protein. One memory stands out about how desperate I was to get my next  "treat-fix". My husband and I went with other church members up to the Kansas City Temple on a bus. We were traveling back down, (about a 3 1/2 hour drive)  We had packed a lunch/dinner. I didn't pack a dessert. After I had eaten my food, that craving kicked in. I just HAD to have some dessert, preferable something with chocolate. I told me husband, "I need my fix! If I have to I will go down all the aisles until I will find someone that has some and willing to share with me. I'm not shy and this is an emergency." So up I stood and walked down the rows explaining I needed my sugar fix and see who could/would help me out. I only had to go down a few aisles until some lady shared her dessert with me. I don't remember who it was or what she shared. A day didn't go by that I didn't at least have 1 + treats. People would just chuckle and smile. I don't think most people took this serious or rather maybe they had the same addiction as me and in denial?

Some addictions are more noticeable than others. Some are more sociably accepted then others. An addiction is an addiction. Mine just happen to be sociably accepted and pretty cheap to feed. I love to cook and bake. So even IF I didn't have store bought treats/candy, I had the ingredients to MAKE them, or just eat the ingredients by themselves like chocolate chips. It also didn't help that whenever we had church activities there ALWAYS seemed to be "refreshments"-sweets.

The turning point for me is when God stepped in (again) and this time- I let him help me. I will share that in part 2. Learning to become God-Reliant instead of Self-Reliant. Will power was not enough to break this addiction. God is mighty to save and he can even save us from ourselves if we just reach out and cry unto the Lord.

You might not have a sugar addiction like I have had or any addictions, but I know we each have our own "thorns in the flesh" and yoking ourselves to Christ is the answer. Love, your Sister in Christ-Sally

We Damned Eachother Part 2

It's been 12 years since I wrote that journal entry that I shared in part 1. Part 1 came to me this morning as I was guided by Spirit to find my old journal and look up my original recording of this experience. This part down below was actually partially written a week ago but didn't come all together until now. Sometimes I would like to just skim over parts of my past or how I saw things but realize that is part of the journey.




As time goes by and my understanding of things of the Spirit has deepened I wanted to share this story again, but with more detail and with a new set of eyes.
 
My Mom's mom Grandma Brumble and I NEVER saw eye to eye (while in the flesh). We were both spit fires. She had the red hair to prove it. When I was a little girl, she made the following statement to my Mom: "She hates me!" To which my mom replied, No mom-she hates everyone!" She past away the summer before my senior year of High School. It didn't really matter to me that she died, I had no feelings for her. Yikes, I know that sounds really bad and harsh but that was where I was.
    I remember my mom letting me know over the years since she herself has become a Grandma that she wanted her grandchildren to like her and wanted to be involved in their lives. She didn't want her grandchildren to have the kind of relationship or no relationship with her how it was for her kids and her mom. According to my Mom she told her, "I raised my kids and now it's your turn to raise your own, I will not interfere." We (her mortal family) saw her filled with bitterness and that bitterness was like cancer, eating away and finally killing all her joy and happiness.








     Anyways, I didn't realize that I had harbored not only negative feeling towards my own Grandma but in part I was holding her part and she was holding me back. Typing this up I just realized it was 7 years later she came to me while I was sleeping. First thing I noticed besides the flaming red hair and a younger version of herself was her countenance. She was so happy and cheerful (something I really didn't see while I knew her here on earth). She told me she was happy and then her face changed and said,

"We are holding each other back, we are both damned. Neither one of us can continue on our journey until we forgive each other. This is why I had permission to come to you. It was for both our sakes."

I (my Spirit) freely forgave her in that moment as I was given understanding- walked in her heart. She forgave me as well. As we did this, peace came over the two of us.






       Shortly after Grandma died she came to her sister. Totally different reason and visit then the one with me. My Mom felt left out that her Mom had come to both Aunt Lady and me but not to her. I told her, I am sorry she did not come to you. But I am not proud of why she came to me. She and I needed that visit so that the healing process could begin for the two of us. Out of all her family, the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I was the one damning her and in return she was damning me.


This is not something I am proud of. But I am sharing this on here  so others can read it and can know there is hope for them and their family as well. I don't know who needs this post but I do know it is for at least 1 person and it was the next message the Lord wanted me to share. Jesus and his Atonement is for real.  My grandma and my life were intertwined. So much bitterness and resentment festered in our hearts towards each other, we were mirrors for each other. We could see in the other one what we could not see in ourselves. He gave us (my Grandma and I) each other to learn and grow from.




      I am grateful for loving and caring Heavenly Parents and my Savior Jesus. The Atonement is amazing! Forgiveness to others and ourselves is vital. I love my Grandma since that special visit from her. I saw her with new eyes. I saw her how our Savior saw her. I was also able to walk in her heart. To understand the why's and how's of her life with all the background information and her intentions. I can't really described it and I don't remember everything now or rather I am still processing that encounter. But I do know that visit with my wonderful Grandma was a tender mercy of the Lord.

We Damned Eachother Part 1

Excerpt from Family Journal Jan 5th 2003,


I talked to my Mom on the phone this afternoon. I shared with her the dream I had of her mom and me. (Dream from several months ago). I truly feel it was inspired and that our spirits communed with each other. It's something my mom needed to hear. It turns out she been praying and anxious about her mom and how she is in the spirit world.


The relationship I had with Grandma Brumble wasn't a very happy filled one. She was filled with bitterness and that bitterness was like cancer. Eating away and finally killing her spirit. But now I know her a little better. I got to know her Spirit. She is happier now with a new countenance, with a smile on her face (something I hardly saw, while she was alive.) I know she is happy and a different type of person then I knew. I'm looking forward to seeing her again & know that she truly loves me even though I didn't feel loved by her before. I'm also in the process of letting my own bitterness towards her go. I know she is a loving person and cares about her family. I just wished , when this experience happened, I wrote down the dream...Sharing this with my Mom was a wake up call to me about the importance of writing in my journal and recording special things that have happened to my family and me.

The Atonement of Christ in Action

Excerpt from Dream Journal Sep 28th, 2010

"I attended a funeral for an older man in my ward. He lived here for 40 years.

The person in charge was pleasantly suprised to see so many church people there...I was about to walk in when I noticed my shoes didn't match each other. I went over to the coat rack where there were extra shoes. I found a pair that fit.... Went into the room, the place was nearly full. I went down to the front to get to the right side aisle. The coffin was up front to the right. I met a woman who was paying her last respects. The middle section of seats was reserved for the family members of Jackie P. (the man who died). A grown son of  Jackie came into the room and when he saw the Lady next to his dad's casket he was very angry, he demanded that she leave at once!

(In the past she was very unkind to Jackie and was viewed as an enemy)

but I knew she had a mighty change of heart-through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Father in Heaven, Jesus, and Jackie
had already forgiven her and that she now truly loved this fellow
brother. I got up to bear my testimony of the mighty change of heart she
had and how it happened. I bore my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. I had the woman make direct eye contact with me....
  then I talked about the Savior and his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane,

 how he bled from every pore. How he died on the cross and was resurrected.
END OF DREAM

What I discovered from this dream

I learned much more about the miracle of forgiveness-
God's forgiveness for me and my forgiveness for others.


What a wonderful gift!


My love for the Savior has deepened.


This gives me strength and quiet courage to have clean hands and a pure heart.


To not allow myself to be offended, bitter, or unkind towards others.


That no matter how others treat me, I can be like the Savior and return good for evil,
be kind to the unkind.


To care more about them and their Salvation and learning, then my own needs
and circumstances.


To have more faith in the Savior.


To be willing to take upon myself my own cross that I will have to bear.
That all who are true disciples of Christ will do." End of Journal Excerpt

This dream is from almost 5 years ago. Boy does time seem to fly by.
I am grateful to Father for giving me many dreams through the years to learn and grow from.

Please discover & develop the gifts/talents that the Lord has blessed you with and share them with others as guided by the Spirit. May we all be full of Charity and be quick to forgive is my humble prayer. In his Holy name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.