I was a prodigal son, when upon return to the Lord beat up and bruised with habits of world hanging on, my once brothers and sisters looked upon me as disgraceful. This only made my return that much harder. I kept attending, but to my discredit, rumors began to rotate that I crossed the line, thus making it harder.
After about five years of faithful attendance and pressing to serve God, by this time fellowship was cut off. Certain words only made me feel they were telling me I took the mark of beast with no hope. God extracted me from the local group, and the purpose was unbeknownst to me: started a revival in my soul. It began to cause me to grow beyond measure. The few things of the world that were attached that I couldn't overcome, (lust, pride, temper) miraculously took flight! The devil, who once had a hayday with me, bound in spirit, always feeling lost, but through it all, Jesus showed me I was His.
You could imagine the tears, joy, revenge for the devil, fervency I experienced. A great battle to not hold a grudge was hard, but through Christ I was able to always remember that local body in prayer. Being given up, lost, tormented, and rejected I know all to well. Who would have ever guessed God had a plan for me. My little family serves the Lord and we currently have home services. Worldly lusts are gone, and God continually visits our little home during tape services and weeping and joy are found there.
What a change grace has wrought when we couldn't help ourselves!
God bless you, sincerely, a once lost but found ever so thankful servant of the Lord and to mankind. Everly thankful without measure and graditude.
Joseph