Your Open Word e-Devotional for September 14th,

Published: Tue, 09/14/21

Hello ,

A gay organization tried to have an old-fashioned protest at FIRE Church in Concord, North Carolina, for the church's biblical stance on homosexuality. The leader of the protest posted a message on Facebook that read, "We will meet just before the service begins, and protest as they gather .... We are going to STAND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY to show that our love is stronger than their hate."

Pastor Scott Volk responded by inviting the protestors to come out in good numbers. "As always," Volk wrote, "You will only meet with love, kindness, and respect from the FIRE leadership and congregants .... Jesus died to save us from our sins, heterosexual and homosexual alike." And then he invited all of the protestors to join him for lunch.

The day after the protest, the leader called into a local radio show and said, "Once we got there Sunday morning we were greeted with absolute perfect love. I mean, it was fantastic."*

Is it possible to separate something that we don't agree with from the person who is engaged in it? Jesus did it all the time when He was on earth. God followers will be lovers of people...whether they disagree with them or not.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word