Friday, March 20, 2009

WHAT KIND OF BUILDER ARE YOU?

WHAT KIND OF BUILDER ARE YOU?


Jesus said: "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)


Just because you are a Christian person, does not mean that you won’t face difficulties here on earth. We are not exempt from trials, pain, financial problems, sickness, death, betrayal, etc. These will come and depending on how you deal with these situations will determine "What Kind Of Builder You Are." The Lord did not leave us here on earth to face these situations alone…He's ALWAYS with us and He has also given us the answers and instructions on how to deal with them when they come up. Through the different stories in the Bible …You can see how many times God delivered His people. They are our examples to follow when the times of testing come our way. Whatever kind of problem or difficulty you are facing right now the Lord has the answer.

In the Bible the Lord, talks about the wise and foolish builders.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundation on the rock.”

Note: What the Lord is saying here is, if you "OBEY" Him and you live your life like he commands, then you are "The Wise Builder". When the trials of life come, because you have put into practice what He has taught you …You’ll be able to stand. (The house here means people; the rain, streams, and winds means the different trials that we will face here on earth, the ROCK is Jesus, HE is your foundation… He’ll be with you all the way) So we have nothing to worry about... Nothing to fear!  Because the Lord will always be with us... BUT we must first put into practice/action what HE has taught us...  Jesus says:" But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7: 24-27)-NIV

Note: When we don’t put into practice what the Lord is teaching us in His word, we would be classified as "Foolish Builders". The person who follows any other teachings, than that of Christ, is considered a person who has built their life on a foundation of sand. In order for you to see a real change in your life and to be able to handle the difficult times that will come to your life, you will have to do your part...Our part is to follow and obey our Lord's commands and His teachings. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24) Friends, Our actions will always speak louder than our words!
As it is written, “The Lord helps those who LOVE (Obey) Him. (Psalm 50:15, 91:14-16, Jeremiah 29:11-13) Call on Jesus, my friends... Seek Him daily!
Let me give you an example-- in an action I had to take in my own life: In the beginning of the year I wanted to lose some weight. I new that I would not see the results, that I wanted to see until I made all of the changes in my life that, it would take to accomplish that goal. So I had to watch what I ate, had smaller portion meals, and exercise. I didn’t see results right away, but because I stuck with it and didn’t give up ….I started to see the changes I was looking for. Wishful thinking gets us nowhere … ACTIONS WILL
Friends, The Bible is constantly admonishing us to put our faith into "actions".  "It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 13:4, Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14, John 14:15, 21-23, 24, Luke 11:28, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 John 2:3-6)

Remember GOD'S commands are meant to guide us and to protect us. HE is our loving Father and HE only wants the best for us. Obeying HIM is in our best interest. "...For the LORD is your (our) LIFE..." (Deuteronomy 30:20) Amen! Trust Him ALWAYS… He’ll never let you down.

"MY sheep listen to MY voice; I know them, and they follow ME." (John 10:27)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

DON'T GIVE UP!

DON’T GIVE UP!


Many of us are going through all kinds of hardship in our lives right now. Times of uncertainty and a cloudy future but have no fear my brothers and sisters in Christ… We have the Victory in Christ our Lord.

The Lord did warn us before hand that things like this would happen to us…

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Note: Have we built our Foundation on the Rock or Sand? The ones that apply the Lord’s teaching for their lives will be the ones, who have built their foundation on “The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-25) These builders when times of testing come whether it is sickness, loss of a loved one, finances, etc.-These will be able to stand because they have applied to their lives the teachings of the living God.

A person who has built their foundation on the “Rock” when the storms of life come no matter how strong that storm may be, they will fully trust and believe in Jesus to save/help them out of that situation. A person who has built their foundation on the rock will apply the teachings of the Lord in EVERY situation their life-especially the hard ones. When the times of testing come they know what to do, because they have been taught by the Master (Jesus). When the storms of life come they will not give in to fear, anxiety, despair, hopelessness because they know how big and awesome their GOD is (Jesus is more than capable of handling whatever situation we are in).  A person who builds his home on the rock will hear the voice of their Shepherd and follow Him at ALL times… "For they will walk by faith and not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)~NKJV

Knowing without a shadow of a doubt that the same God that was with David when he faced Goliath is with you… This is the same God that David spoke of when he wrote A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all…” (Psalm 34:19) Not some of your problems but "ALL" says the Lord.  My friends: "TRUST" in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Have faith in the Lord … He won’t let you down.  Jesus tells us this: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mark 13:31) Whatever our Master has said, that HE, would do for those that follow Him will come to pass in their lives. You can fully count on Jesus; He has never failed anyone who has put his or her trust in Him… NEVER!

Check out how he delivered the Hebrews boys from the hot blazing furnace the King, Nebuchadnezzar threw them in. (Daniel 3:1-30) Daniel will tell you how the Lord shut the mouths of the lions in the den he was in. (Daniel 6:19-23) The same God that rescued them from ALL their troubles will rescue us also if we trust, obey, and follow Him. Through out the Holy Scriptures you see God protecting and delivering His children.

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!! SO WHY GIVE IN TO DESPAIR AND FEAR IF THIS IS THE KIND OF GOD WE HAVE ON OUR SIDE..."Have I not commanded you? BE strong AND courageous. DO NOT be afraid; DO NOT be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9)

Note: This is one of the reasons I have fallen in love with the word of GOD. It is God’s blueprint to everyday living. God has given us solutions to any and every situation that we may face in this life. He’s got us covered Completely… Hallelujah! The Victory is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

People that do not apply the Lord’s teachings to their lives are considered to be as one who has built their foundation on “ The Sand”. These will fall with a great crash because they did not built their foundation on the “Rock” which is Jesus our Lord. (Matthew 7:26-27)

A person that has built their foundation of  “Sand” will easily give in to despair, fear and hopelessness. They believe the lies of the devil, they follow man instead of the Lord, and they definitely don’t think or believe God can help/save them from their situation. (Whatever the situation may be)

Note: I can hear Moses telling us as he told Israel when Pharaoh and his army where closing in on them before the crossing of the sea…

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. (Watch this last verse… NEVER forget it!) The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Stand my brothers and sisters in Christ…Stand on God’s promises.

Note: Be prepared when the enemy tries to put thoughts of despair, fear and hopelessness into your minds and hearts. Speak to him in the same manner that Jesus did in the wilderness

The Bible says:

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”Jesus answered, “ It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of GOD." (Matthew 4:3-4)

Note: STUDY the word of GOD, so that you know, how to answer the devil when he comes to derail you and get you off the track that God has placed you in. God will show you how to answer the devil and what to do in any and every situation that life may bring your way.

When Satan tells you… GOD has forgotten you,

You tell him… It is written: “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…" (Isaiah 49:15-16)

When he (Satan) tells you … you don’t have what you need to pay your bills this month…

You say… It is written: “And my God will meet all (My) your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
." (Philippians 4:19)

The Lord says: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Note: The Lord has said to us that if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first, NOT last or when we get around to it, but really giving God first place in our life; that is when He will give us what we need. Guaranteed!! If you do what God asks of you, then He will do what He says He will do for you …IF you obey and trust him FIRST.

I am giving you what I myself have tried and live by everyday and found it to be the absolute truth. If you line yourself with God’s will and purpose for your life these and many other promises written through out the Holy Scriptures will be fulfilled in your life … He will take care of you! This is from the mouth of the Lord Himself. Obedience to GOD always brings blessings into our lives and home.

This is a word that the Lord gave to me, so I in turn want to share it with all of you and to let you know that everything is going to be all right because Jesus has the wheel…But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7)


Don’t give up! Remember, “With God all things are possible.” WE ARE ON THE WINNING TEAM! HOW CAN WE LOSE?  "DON'T GIVE UP" AND "FIGHT the good fight of faith!" (1Timothy 6:12)


GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA