Monday, June 30, 2014

EXCUSES, EXCUSES!

                                            EXCUSES, EXCUSES!


The Bible says: “He (Jesus) said to another man, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-62)


Note: Jesus was calling these men to follow Him, but they both had other priorities in their lives …Having their “EXCUSES” for NOT accepting the call to follow Him. Some may read these verses and think to themselves, what was going through the minds of these two men? If Jesus would have asked me to leave ALL and follow Him…I would have done it, without giving it a second thought. Is that so?  Jesus is calling people today… To FOLLOW Him, to SEEK Him, To LIVE for Him and to KEEP (Obey) His Commands…And still till this day people hesitate and have other priorities…And MANY excuses for not following Him, for not seeking Him, and not Obeying His commands. (Luke 6:46, Titus 1:16)

When we care more about what other people are going to think or feel about us living a devoted lifestyle to the Savior…Then we have to admit to ourselves that we don’t really love the Savior like we say we do… Jesus says that those that truly love Him will follow and obey His commands. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5:2-3) Amen! Jesus says: “…Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.” (Matthew 10:38) Jesus also says: "NO ONE who puts a hand to the plow AND LOOKS BACK is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

Some say, living the Christian life is too hard…It’s only hard because you have not surrendered your life completely to Jesus. The only people who have a problem living the Christian life are those who do not love Jesus and are still holding on to the world. Jesus says: NO ONE can serve two masters. Either you will “HATE” the one and “LOVE” the other, or YOU WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER.” (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13)

Note: We handed our lives over to Jesus the day we asked Him to come into our lives and hearts and become our Lord and Savior  So our lives are now crucified with the Savior and the life we now live in our bodies;  MUST BE lived for THE LORD. (Galatians 2:20) The Bible says:YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19-20)

The BIBLE Says: "He (Jesus Christ) Replied, “My mother and brothers ARE THOSE WHO HEAR GOD'S WORD AND PUT IT INTO PRACTICE.” (Luke 8:21, 11:28) Amen! Jesus also says: "IN SAME WAY, THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT GIVE UP EVERYTHING YOU HAVE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLES." (Luke 14:33) Amen!

Jesus says: …"Whoever wants to be my disciple “MUST DENY” themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, (Watch This…Don’t Miss It!)à but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, AND THEN HE WILL REWARD EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.” (Matthew 16:24-27)



Remember, what Jesus has also told us...“MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR, Because "MANY", I Tell You, Will Try To Enter AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO." (Luke 13:24) Amen!

Note: Jesus said "MAKE EVERY EFFORT"NOT EXCUSES! Making every “effort” is what it will take for anyone who wants to enter Heaven. (Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 4:12-13)  If we truly love The Savior…”WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT” and we will commit, devote and discipline ourselves to obey our Lord's commands and His teachings.

Friends, we MUST live daily as our Lord Jesus lived...It is what the BIBLE commands us to do! (1 John 2:3-6) Amen! OVER AND OVER AGAIN THE BIBLE ADMONISHES US "TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT" TO BE FOUND HOLY, BLAMELESS AND AT PEACE WITH JESUS WHEN HE RETURNS. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Hebrews 4:11-13, 14:12, 2 Peter 1:5-11, 2 Peter 3:14, 1 John 5:2-3)

How will we know what pleases the Lord? (Ephesians 5:10-11) Or how can we unlearn bad habits, worldly thinking, and worldly attitudes if we don’t spend time daily in the word of God?  The Bible tells us: “DO NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, (Watch This … Don’t Miss It!) àbut be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) Amen! Spending time with God daily, in Bible studies and prayers will remove all bad habits, worldly thinking, and worldly attitudes. Jesus says: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Amen!

Remember, the Bible also says: “FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, so that each of us may receive what is due us FOR THE THINGS DONE WHILE IN THE BODY, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If we want to enter Heaven and receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of God…We have to stop with all the excuses and we MUST become doers of the word of God. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Luke 11:28, James 1:22, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5: 2-3, 2 Peter 1:5-11)



Jesus has already given us the warning about this in the book of Matthew… NOT everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,’ WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, (Watch This…Don’t Miss It!)à but only the one WHO DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

The Bible says: “This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, WHO TEACHES YOU WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU, WHO DIRECTS YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO.”  (Isaiah 48:17) Amen!

SO NO MORE EXCUSES … Because Jesus can help you, guide you, and teach you how to live the Christian life; but you will have to be willing to devote (Commit) yourself to Him DAILY. (Matthew 6:33)



The LORD Says: “…FOR WHO IS HE WHO WILL DEVOTE HIMSELF TO BE CLOSE TO ME?’ DECLARES THE LORD.” (Jeremiah 30:21) Amen!


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





















 







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