What GOD Has Taught Me

WHO'S SEDUCING YOU? (PART II)

2012-01-04T16:02:00.003-06:00

WHO’S SEDUCING YOU?
(PART II)

We already know that once we give our lives to Christ, our bodies and our lives are not our own! “As it is written, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Our lives and bodies now belong to the Savior! As I said in my last blog post, the letters to the Corinthian church is Paul’s 101 Christianity course for all of Christ’s followers. Paul really stresses the point that once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior… Our life has to be lived for the Lord and for the good of others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let me show you how Paul teaches them on this same subject by using Israel’s history and the reasons why God gives us such warnings!

The Bible says:

“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come." (1 Corinthians 10:8-11)

Note: God gives the warnings to turn from our sins and as “New Creations” in Christ we MUST daily strive to be like Christ! Paul tells the Corinthian church and to all of us… “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Some people live a very “lackadaisy” Christian life… And they say to themselves, “Well the Lord knows I’m not perfect” or The Lord knows I mean to do good.” This is a very dangerous way of thinking and living, my friends. We must be doers of God’s word if we want to inherit the kingdom of God! Do not deceive yourselves the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

Note: For the lackadaisy Christian who live their life however they feel, and not according to the Word of GOD! Don’t be surprised if the Lord tells you on judgment day… “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:23) I imagine that some people might tell the Lord, “Lord I want to be in Heaven with you and HE might say to us… You didn’t live or act like you wanted to be here with ME! I said "IF YOU LOVED ME, YOU WOULD HAVE OBEYED MY COMMANDS.” (John 14:15) This is just a thought that came across my mind one day and I thought to share it with all of you… And its pretty freighting nonetheless. So let’s keep watching and praying like the Lord told us to do and obey HIM in ALL things. And we won’t be told by the Lord, “'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The Bible says, “We know that we have come to know him “IF WE OBEY HIS COMMANDS.” The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what he (Jesus Christ) commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (Watch These Couple Of Verses Very Carefully) But if anyone “Obeys His Word”, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: WHOEVER claims to live in him “MUST WALK AS JESUS DID.” (1 John 2:3-6)

Make no mistake about it “The Lord” has made it perfectly clear through the “Holy Scriptures” that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of GOD. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Note: Friends, I want to admonish you to stay on point everyday in your daily walk with the Lord. Live your life committed/devoted to Jesus. Jesus is coming soon and we must be ready if we want to go with HIM to Heaven. Seek GOD daily in Bible reading and in daily prayers… If we are pressed for time, we can say a quick prayer in the car on our way to work! In our lunch time… We can sit in our cars or on a bench and read our Bibles for that hour or half hour! Commitment and discipline that’s where it’s at, my friends! Paul was very committed and disciplined when it came to living for Christ and this was the message/ the point that he brought to all the churches! Paul gave us his workout routine for holy and righteous living… “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 9:27, 1 Corinthians 11:1)

We will never have success in just knowing what the Bible says; we must be doers of the Word of God. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22) I can’t just watch the “Biggest Loser” show and think I’m going to lose weight by just watching the show! Who am I kidding?! I have to diet and exercise and then I will see the results I want! My friends, this is the same principle with God… His word won’t produce any good fruits in our lives UNLESS we apply it FIRST! Let’s follow Paul’s workout routine for holy/righteous living and THEN we will have success in our Christian life.

We must also be careful whose company we are keeping and are walking daily with… Paul tells the Corinth Church and to us, “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33)

My mother used to tell me as a child… “Tell me who you’re walking with and I’ll tell you WHO YOU ARE! So, if you as a Christian are hanging around gossipers… Guess what that makes you? If you as a Christian are hanging around with two-face people… Guess what that makes you? We get the point, right? So the question is: Who are YOU walking with? Because that’s who YOU are! Jesus said it best… “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:20) Make the changes that you have to make now and start living and striving daily for a life of excellence and holiness in Christ Jesus! John already told us… So we have NO excuses before GOD… “WHOEVER claims to live in him “MUST WALK AS JESUS DID.” (1 John 2:3-6)

We can learn a lot from the Corinthian church because once Paul told them to correct the wrong in the church… They did it right away! Remember what Paul told them, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2) And on Paul’s second letter it tells us that they took immediate action against this… “The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, “To Reaffirm Your Love For Him.” (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!)The reason I wrote you was to see “If You Would Stand The Test And Be Obedient In Everything.” “If You Forgive Anyone, I Also Forgive Him.” And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake…” (2 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Note: GOD is our Heavenly Father and because God loves us, He also corrects us when we do wrong and How pleased is HE when we accept HIS rebukes and corrections and “Learn to do right! ...” (Isaiah 1:17)

Watch this… I’m going to show you what the book of Hebrews says about God’s discipline… Because it is for our own Good!!

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!!) "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; (Watch This Verse… Don’t Miss It!) but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:5:11)

Note: Who’s seducing you? The choice is always ours to make, to live for Christ or the World… Is your choice, my friends! If God has spoken to you through this blog/teaching and you realize you’re not living or walking in the truth of the word of God. Then it’s never too late to turn around from your sins and “Learn to do right! ...” (Isaiah 1:17) And we just read in the book of Hebrews that if GOD is taking the time to correct us, to speak to us, THEN we must be His CHILDREN and that my friends… IS GREAT NEWS!! "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." (Hebrews 12:5-6)

This word speaks volume to me… Because GOD loves me, HE corrects me! And I’m totally OK with that! Lord, change all those things in me that are not of YOU! In Jesus name I pray and ask, Amen!!!

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

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

WHO'S SEDUCING YOU?

2011-12-13T09:55:00.008-06:00

WHO’S SEDUCING YOU?

In this world we are surrounded by a lot of corruption and every imaginable sin surrounds us daily. If we are not careful as Christians/believers we can be enticed by the world and let it ruined our walk with the Savior. When we gave our lives to Christ, (At that very moment) we surrender ourselves completely to Jesus. Paul said it in this way, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; YOU were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) This blog deals with the question to all believers… Are you living by the TRUTH of “The Word of GOD” or are you living by the world and the worldly views?

In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul confronts the “Corinthian” church for conforming to their surroundings and letting those sins creep into the church and into their lives! Paul then brings their attention to their sins (Quarrels and jealousy between believers, lawsuits, sexual immorality, marriage, etc.) And their need to take corrective actions and revitalize their commitment to Jesus Christ. This is Paul’s Christianity 101 course for the Corinthian church and for all the followers of Christ.

Paul reminds the Corinthian Church of the life God saved them from and as “New Creations” in Christ Jesus… That past life has NO place in a Christian life any longer! Let’s see how Paul explains this to them….

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (Watch This… Don’t miss it!) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) We already read that once you become a Christian your body/life is not your own… We live our lives for the Lord! As it is written, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The Bible Says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are a “New Creation” in Christ! We must bury that old life once and for all and let the new you shine... So that everyone can see the living Christ in you!

Note: This verse helped me a lot when I first got saved 10 years ago… I can reassure you that the change didn’t happen right away (it is a process) but I definitely wanted to change and live for Jesus! I was in so much condemnation from my past life! There was so much about that life that I did not know was wrong. Reading the word of God was like looking through a reflecting mirror… A mirror looking right into my soul! This verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17 reassured me that “the old me” was gone and that in Christ “All” my sins were forgiven! Never to be brought against me again, ever! I had no clue that the life I was living would lead me straight to hell… I didn’t want to go there!

This is the reason why I write these blogs. I want to let others know, that might be where I was years ago, that living an immoral life is like having a “VIP ticket” straight to hell! You can never get into Heaven living like that! Some people really want to change and they don’t know how to go about it or where to start. The first step of anyone who wants to be saved and is looking for a true change in their life is to step towards Jesus Christ! Jesus is the only way to Heaven and in Him ALL our sins forgiven! Only in Jesus are we made into a new creation/person! AMEN!!! (Matthew 1:20, John 1:29, John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-13, Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18, Acts 16:30-31, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Back to the Corinthian church…This is another sin Paul had to address to the Corinthian Church. Paul says:

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2) And then he tells them this also… “I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. (Watch This… Don’t miss it!) “But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. (Watch This… Don’t miss it!) What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)

Note: How many churches have we attended/been to and we have witnessed the same kind of sins Paul rebuked the Corinthians church for! Now a day we see these things happening right in front of our faces and we turn a blind eye to it… We stick our head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening! Some may say, “That’s not my problem… Is not my business! That’s between them in God.” That’s true to some extent… God will judge the sinner for their sins but if you know that they are sinning against God and you say nothing… You’re also part to blame and God will hold you responsible also! Paul already said in not so many words, that the church and the person, who claims to be a Christian, are his business and his responsibility…What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

Let me show what GOD tells the Prophet Ezekiel:

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” (Ezekiel 3:16-17)

Note: You don’t have to make it into an argument or get mad just to tell someone, that you see, is clearly sinning against God… That what they are doing is wrong! All it takes according to the “Holy Scriptures” is giving them a warning from God and if that person persists in their sin then… That person is truly in God’s hand and in big trouble with GOD! And we would have saved ourselves because we did what God asked us to do… “But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.” (Ezekiel 3:19)

Paul also teaches the Corinthian Church on marriage...

“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) “A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11,39)

Note: This sin is very common in today’s churches also… Many of you may not like what the word of God says about this but I come in the “Truth Of The Word GOD” How can you argue with God? It’s in the book… And I’m just the messenger… “Come back to your senses as you ought, and “STOP SINNING”; for there are some who are ignorant of GOD--I say this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)

What do we see people doing instead of obeying the Holy Spirit? They go and divorce their spouses and then they marry someone new… Instead of reconciling with their spouse like the Bible tells us to do! The only time we can remarry, is if our spouse dies! That’s the only time we have permission from God to marry someone new! And If the marriage was a bad one (There was cheating or abuse) let’s say! According to the word of God you can separate from that person but you still have to remain single. God says, “A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried…” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11) You’re supposed to stay single according to GOD. Paul said that this rule of marriage does not come from him (It does NOT come from me either!) but from THE LORD…. “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord) (1 Corinthians 7:10)! This is the part of the marriage rule that No One likes to hear but it’s in the Holy Scriptures. And we all know, “All Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Paul is just teaching the Corinthian church and to all of us, what Jesus taught all His disciples to teach on. Let’s see what Jesus says on marriage…

“Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," he (Jesus) replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) “Therefore What GOD Has Joined Together, Let Man NOT Separate.’ "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." (Matthew 19:3-9)

In the book of Mark Jesus said it again…

“When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." (Mark 10:10-12) Paul warns us that “the adulterer” WILL NOT inherit the kingdom of GOD…. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Note: The marriage rule comes from the Creator and the Creator ALONE… Jesus says, NO to divorce and NO to marrying a divorced person. This was our Lord’s reply to the Pharisees on the marriage question. Friends, Jesus is either Lord of our lives or He’s not Lord at ALL! When a believer fails to recognize Jesus as Lord in their life and they live their life how they want and not according to the Word of God… It sets us up for failures and lots of disappointments. There are no rewards from the Lord for the disobedient!

The Bible is our blueprint; it shows us how to live a godly and holy life in this world! That’s why we need to stay in the Word of GOD daily. This is what the Bible says about people who don’t listen to God and let Jesus teachings go in one ear and out the other… Without putting them into practice/actions, “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 7:26-27) Not listening to the Lord and not applying His teachings to our lives will only cause us to fall with a great crash in life! So the question is: Are you being seduce by the Savior and living your life committed/devoted to Him? Or Is the world seducing you? Are you’re living your life for the world and the world’s views? Who's seducing YOU? Friends, we must obey the Lord in all things… If we truly love HIM! (John 14:15)

Remember what the Lord said 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!) BUT ONLY HE 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

What does the Father say about what Jesus is teaching us? This is what HE says… “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM!" (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35)

Note: If we fail to obey the Lord’s teachings … And NOT follow/apply the moral guide lines Jesus gave us to live by on “the sermon on the mount”, Then Jesus will also tells us… 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:23) Study “The Beatitudes” in Matthew chapters 5-7. Spend time with GOD daily and He will change all those things in you that are NOT of HIM. GOD does this for me daily and HE will do the same for you… If you do your part and surrender yourself completely to HIM!

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW & ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP!

2011-11-29T13:23:00.010-06:00

IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP!

The Bible warns everyone of an impending “End Of Days”! This is not a make believe statement, it is a TRUE fact! Those who do not heed the warnings of GOD will sadly be left behind with nothing but anguish and lots of regrets.

Jesus says: “No One knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” But we are told as Christ’s followers to follow the signs… Because they tell of Christ return back to the earth… Jesus says, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. (Watch This Verse … Don’t Miss It!) Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:32, 36)

Note: The disciples asked Jesus, what would be the sign of His return and the sign of the end of the age? Jesus answered His disciples… There will be some that will claim that they are the Christ and many would be deceived by these false Christ (Jesus warns all of us not to believe/follow them! Luke 21:8) Jesus already said, “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”). Our Lord will come in the clouds and from the sky! (Matthew 24:27, Luke 21:5-36) Amen!

Jesus also told them that there will be rumors of war; nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom… Jesus talked about famines and earthquakes in various places, etc. He described all these terrible events as “The beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:3-35, Mark 13:1:36)

Note: Anyone who has given birth can understand what the Holy Spirit is saying about “Birth Pains”, I remember when it was time for me to deliver my children… The closer it got for me to give birth to them… My contractions and pains intensified immensely! My contractions came one after another until I gave birth. In the same way, my friends, the earth will also be in terrible “Birth Pains”, the closer it gets to Christ return back to the earth… False Christ’s will appear, wars will intensify, famines and all natural disasters will happen one after another and intensify in magnitude... Until Jesus Christ appears in the sky! Jesus says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28) What Jesus said, that will happen and the signs that will follow… Will happen just like HE said it will! Make no mistake about it… HE is not a man that HE should lie! (Numbers 23:19)

The Bible Says: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away… (Watch This Last Verse… Don’t Miss It!). That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37-39)

Note: By the time the people in Noah’s time realized… What Noah was warning them about for years was true… It was too late and God had already closed the door of the Ark and No One was getting in or out of the Ark! Don’t let this happen to you… If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior then the time is now to get your life right with God…Tomorrow might be too late! (Genesis 7:1, 16, 23, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Let me show you how God saw mankind in Noah’s generation…

“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." (Genesis 6:5-7)

Note: This is what the Holy Scriptures says… “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for ALL the people on earth had corrupted their ways.” (Genesis 6:11-12) Some may want you to believe that everything in the world today is Ok and that things are going to get better… But if you are following Bible prophecy’s/signs, then you will know that everything that’s going on in this world is pointing to the soon return of Christ back to the earth. Jesus has already said that the generation that will see His return to the earth will be like the generation of Noah. “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37) And, my friends, I believe we are that generation that will witness the soon return of Jesus Christ! Our generation has also become corrupt and has hardened their hearts towards GOD! We as a nation have kicked God out of our schools, we took down HIS “Ten Commandments” from our city’s court houses, we have made many gods for ourselves… We have turned our backs on the ONE True GOD! And live how we want and then we wonder… Why are all these things happening in this world? Why are these things happening in my life?

Friends, Happiness/Success is found in a relationship with the Savior and in obedience to HIM! (Deuteronomy 28:1-14, John 14:15, 21) A nation, a person who does not follow or obey GOD, brings curses and calamity into their lives! (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) God tell us these things for our own good… Nothing good comes from disobeying the Lord, NOTHING! It’s Time To Wake Up… Don’t let what happen to the people of Noah’s day… Happen to you. We’re supposed to learn from history and from our own mistakes… And not continue to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Jesus says, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3) Jesus is coming back soon and we must be ready… If we want to go to Heaven with HIM!

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

WHAT KIND OF ANSWER WILL YOU GIVE?

2011-09-12T20:23:00.012-05:00

WHAT KIND OF ANSWER WILL YOU GIVE?

Most of us don’t like going to court and the thought of going and standing in front of a “Judge” is nerve racking for us! It makes us feel at times nervous and anxious… It’s even worse for those that have to do time in prison and the thought that their freedom will be taking away from them for some time is really devastating for them. The feeling of the unknown it’s very troubling and scary for many of us. In court, your own words can either convict you or acquit you! This blog deals with what the Bible says, about the “Judge” of all mankind and how we must all stand before Him one day… And, how you answer GOD will either acquit you or condemned you!

The Bible gives all mankind the moral compass for us to live by and to follow… Let me start with “The Ten Commandments”

1- “You shall have no other gods before me.”

2- “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”

3- “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

4- “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”

5- “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

6- “You shall not murder”

7- “You shall not commit adultery”

8- “You shall not steal.”

9- “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

10-“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife… Or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:3-17)

Note: The first four commandments deal with loving God and the last six deals with loving people… If we truly love GOD we will show it by our actions… The same goes for if we truly love people! We wouldn’t purposely hurt anyone that we truly love… Right? Most of us will go all out for the ones we love and cherish. So, shouldn’t we also love and be good to “Everyone” else also?! Jesus says: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) for this sums up the Law (The Commandments) and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12) Friends, “Actions speak louder than words”!

These Commandments were given to us by the “Judge” of all the earth to follow and abide by. When God judges us according to the Commandments and examines how we live and conduct ourselves here on Earth… Not one of us would have a chance in the world, in GOD’s courtroom. We have all broken His Commandments and Laws…God already knew this would be the case for all of us, which is why he sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and to redeem mankind from death and hell… Jesus Christ is the “ONLY” one that can do this … And “No One Else” can do it!

The Bible says: “For GOD so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For GOD did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) Jesus is the SAVIOR” of the world!

Jesus says: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) He has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) What is Jesus word/message to us you may ask? This is what Jesus says of “Himself”, “I am the way and the truth and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father expect through me.” (John 14:6)

Paul and Silas were asked by a jailer in the book of Acts… “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” (Acts 16:29-31) Only Jesus can save us according to the Holy Scriptures!

Paul is addressing the 1st and 2nd Commandments to the Athenians in the New Testament… This is what he says:

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Watch this…Don’t miss it!) For he (GOD) has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man (Jesus Christ) he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:29-31)

Note: Paul tells the Athenians, that God will judge the world for their sins… We already established through the Holy Scriptures that Jesus is the “ONLY” way to Heaven and the “Only” one that can save us from our sins! And after this truth has been told to us and we willing and knowingly reject God’s plan of salvation which is in Christ ALONE! What then? Rejecting Christ will be our biggest downfall in the courtroom of the “All Mighty God”!

What will we do or say when God asks us, why didn’t you believe in my Son Jesus? Why didn’t you accept my plan of salvation? What kind of answer will you give? At that time it will be too late to turn back the clock… Time is up! Now what? What’s done is done and without Jesus you will be condemned for all your sins… According to Jesus own words… “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (Jesus Christ).”(John 3:18) Only Jesus blood can wipe all our sins whiter than snow and only in Him we are made into a brand new person. (1 John 2:2, Isaiah 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

Some people here on earth get cocky with God and they say “I only answer to myself and if I’m happy living without God so be it!” And they find many others that would agree with them and cheer them on; but GOD will not be amused on judgment day … He will not be persuaded by what others think or say! He will not be playing games. God won’t care how many of your friends say things like this … “Live it up”… “Live how you want”… “Do what makes you happy even if it is against God’s law”! God will judge us according to His written word and in that alone… Not anybody else’s opinions or sayings will matter to Him on judgment day!

We Christians are saved by Grace but this doesn’t mean that we continue to sin! (Ephesians 2:8-9) Let me show you what The Book of Hebrews says:

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of truth, no sacrifice for sins is left (Watch this… Don’t miss this!), but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”… “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands “of the living GOD.” (Hebrews 10:26-27, 30-31)

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:9-10) Through out the New Testament we read of "The Ten Commandments" mentioned time and time again and these two verses in 1 John summarized them also… God hasn’t changed his mind about the Commandments and how we should all live and conduct ourselves while living here on earth! The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

The Book of Revelation is describing the Courtroom of GOD and what we should expect to see in it…

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small (The Rich and the Poor), standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (Watch This… Don’t miss it!) If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) If you didn’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior while you lived here on earth… You can be certain that your name won’t be in the book of “Life” and that all your sins still remained on you. And you will have to pay for all the sins that you committed while living in this world. There’s no other way around this! What GOD says in His “Word”… HE really means!

Note: The doors of salvation are still open… Come to the Lord Jesus while there’s still time to do so! The Bible says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, (Watch this…Don’t miss it!) But everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Only Jesus can wipe all our sins away… Once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and we live our life, on earth like Jesus commands (1 John 2:5-6 and 2 John 1:9), then our names will be written in the book of “Life”!

Jesus says, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.”… “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) I WILL NEVER BLOT OUT HIS NAME FROM “THE BOOK OF LIFE”, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (Revelation 3:3,5) God will always be faithful to all his promises! (Numbers 23:19) Whatever the Bible says is going to happen, will happen just as God says it will! The time is now to turn from our sins and repent! Don’t wait another minute… Tomorrow might be too late! The book of Hebrews says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7)

For those who choose not to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior …. According to the Holy Scriptures will not enter Heaven. GOD will have to judge them for all the sins they have committed here on Earth and the sentence will be an eternal separation from God and their place according to Scripture will be in the “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 21:27 and Chapter 20:15)

The Lord our God is very merciful and He is always ready to give us second chances… Please, don’t ignore His calling! God loves us very much and this is why He’s extending His arms wide to you… Is your choice to accept Him or reject Him! GOD won’t force anyone to love Him or accept His plan of salvation! But rejecting Jesus Christ will be the biggest mistake that we will ever make… it has an eternal consequence of which there’s no escape!(Exodus 34:6-7, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Luke 16:19-26, Revelation 20:10)

Jesus says, “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, BUT TO SAVE IT. There is a “Judge” for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.” (John 12:47-48)

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

WHAT IS LOVE!

2011-08-29T18:18:00.002-05:00

WHAT IS LOVE?

There is a deep longing inside of all us to love and be loved… We all want to have that special someone to share the rest of our lives with. Who wouldn’t want that kind of love? Are you looking for LOVE? The kind of love that last for ever, love that you can always depend on, LOVE that will never fail you. There is someone that can give us this kind of love… His name is Jesus Christ! His love will never fail you and Jesus will never leave or abandon you. Jesus’ love can mend broken hearts; He heals old scars, painful memories… no human can do for you what only GOD can do!

We all have been guilty of looking for love in all the wrong places and sometimes we fall in love with people who don’t love us in return. Have you ever asked yourself… Is this love thing for me? Am I meant to be happy?

The answer to that question is: YES! We are all meant to be happy but true happiness starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ first… success starts and ends with Jesus being the center of our lives. If we go about it without Jesus we will be susceptible to only temporary solutions, temporary relationships, and lots of disappointments… nothing that will stick around for the long hall, that’s for sure!

The Bible Says:

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an anointing sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But GOD demonstrates his own love for us in this: (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

Note: Amazing LOVE… Amazing GRACE! How GOD loves the human race so! This is the kind of love that captured my soul…never do I want to be away from my Savior! “Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD… (Psalms 34:8) Some say; the proof is in the pudding… Come and taste! See for yourself… how good Jesus love is! There is nothing like it… NOTHING!!

Many people live as enemies of the cross… they don’t believe God exist and most people think that all Christians are brain washed anyway! But I know that if they really gave God a chance they will know… without a shadow of a doubt that He is very real and that God’s love is truly genuine. God loves mankind … especially those that don’t believe in Him or love Him in return. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) Jesus will never give up on us. Jesus is still waiting for you to invite Him into your heart… He can fill you with His amazing love and give you a peace like you’ve never known or ever felt. (Phil. 3:18/ Revelation 3:20/ Phil. 4:7)

The Bible Says:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (Watch This Don’t Miss It) LOVE NEVER FAILS.” This is how God loves us every day…Real LOVE! (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Note: Some of you may say… “It’s easy for my pastor or for that person to say what they say about “Love”… They have a wonderful marriage, home, children, etc and everything is going good for them and they seem to be happy too… Of course they can say that”! Well, did it ever occur to you that perhaps they put GOD first!

“GOD IS LOVE” (John 4:16)

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS,
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

SORRY, JESUS GOT TO ME FIRST!

2011-06-08T20:01:00.017-05:00

SORRY, JESUS GOT TO ME FIRST!

“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”(Mark 1:6)- NIV

John the Baptist lived in the dessert, his church was in the wilderness and he baptized all his followers in the Jordan River. John the Baptist was misunderstood by many in his time and if he was misunderstood in his day… what would he face in today’s churches? By today’s church standards John wouldn’t be let in through some church doors.

John the Baptist was ordained by God to be the Lord’s for runner; he was set apart to GOD, a “Nazirite” (Luke 1:15-17, Isaiah 40:3/ Judges 13:7)

Note: The Bible says, John the Baptist was a “Nazirite” and as such he could not cut his beard or his long dread lock hair. Certain foods and wine he could not eat/drink. John wore clothing made of camel hair, he ate locusts and honey. People will probably say of him… I don’t know about this John the Baptist, He dresses funny, and he eats bugs… I think he is a total nut job!

How many blessings and opportunities we have missed in life for judging people in the wrong way… When GOD already says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the OUTWARD appearance, BUT the Lord LOOKS at the HEART.” (1Samuel 16:7)

It’s not what people think or say about you that counts. It’s what the Lord says, that DOES! The Holy Scriptures says of John: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” (Luke 1:76-77)

People said of John… “He has a demon” (Matthew 11:18) Jesus says of John, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John… (Luke 7:28)

Note: God is not looking at how you dress, if you wear earrings or not, if you’re wearing make-up or not, if you shave your legs or not, if you cut your hair or leave it long or if you’re wearing a suit to church or a pair of jeans. God does not care how big your bank account is, or what job or car you have… that’s not what is important to God! STOP this madness…Remember GOD only looks at the HEART! All these things are legalistic teachings and Jesus has nailed to the cross legalism and religion! (Colossians 2:14-15, 20-23)

If ANY church tries to tell you that you have to look a certain way or have certain things in order to get into Heaven… GET away from them as quick as possible! The Bible says: “FOR it is by GRACE you have been SAVED, through FAITH- AND this NOT from YOURSELVES (Watch This Don’t Miss It), It is the GIFT of GOD- NOT by works, so that NO ONE can boast.”(Ephesians 2:8-9) Study the word of God … So that you can recognize false teachings.

Note: Salvation is a FREE gift from GOD…. There is nothing you can do to get it….It’s FREE! And Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven! “SALVATION is found in NO ONE else, FOR there is NO other name (Jesus Christ) under heaven GIVEN to men by which WE must be SAVED." (Acts 4:12)

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees in Jesus day wore beautiful holy garments… You couldn’t look more holy than these men but watch what Jesus says of these men…. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:15) Jesus also said of them… “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44)

Note: It’s not how we look on the outside that COUNTS or WHAT makes us holy… It’s what’s in our HEARTS that DOES! Jesus knew that there was nothing good inside the teachers of the law and the Pharisees hearts! Jesus knew these men were not men of God… That’s why Jesus said this to them: “He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; THEIR teachings are but RULES taught by men.”(Mark 7: 6-7)

Jesus says: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’... (Matthew 15:19-20) These acts are the things that will keep us from the Kingdom of GOD; it is NOT how you look on the outside!

Jesus in the other hand wasn’t restricted from drinking wine or eating certain foods like John had been, because John was a “Nazirite”. Just like John, Jesus was also misunderstood, for the Bible says: “The Son of Man (Jesus Christ) came eating and drinking, and they say, (People said of HIM) 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." (Matthew 11:19)

But the Holy Scriptures says of Jesus: “… And HE (Jesus Christ) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Note: Jesus drank wine and of course He ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners that’s WHO HE came to SAVE! “For the Son of Man came to SEEK and to SAVE what was LOST." (Luke 19:10) Jesus was God in the flesh...“The Word (Jesus Christ) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) But people said of Him that He was a drunkard, a glutton, hanging around sinners, demon possessed and still others thought He was out of His mind! But thank God that Jesus wasn’t influence by what people, his family and the devil thought of Him! Jesus wasn’t going to lose His focus… Jesus knew where He came from; He knew who He was and what He needed to do to save humanity! (John 8:14, John 7:20, Mark 3:21, Matthew 4:3-11, Luke 4:43, John 3:16-17)

We need to stay in the WORD of God and be lead by the Holy Spirit so that we can tell the real from the fake… Truth from lies! Jesus came to set us free and if we focus on the outer appearance of each other… We will be putting ourselves in the same bondage that the Lord freed us from!

The Bible says: “THIS righteousness from God COMES through FAITH in Jesus Christ to ALL who BELIEVE. THERE is NO difference, FOR all HAVE sinned and fall short of the glory of God, AND are justified FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption THAT came BY Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24)

Sorry, Jesus Got To Me First…You’re not going to put me in the bondage that Jesus died and freed me from! There is nothing humanely possible that I could do to make myself righteous before GOD! The Holy Scriptures says: “As it is written: "THERE is NO ONE righteous, NOT even one. (Romans 3:10) My righteousness, my hope and my faith comes from Christ and Christ ALONE! (Romans 5:17) I am dead to sin but ALIVE in Christ Jesus! I DO NOT live under law but under GRACE! (Romans 6:11, 14/ Romans 11:5-6) Legalism and Religion does not interest me and it’s definitely not of GOD! “FOR the righteous shall live by FAITH” (Romans 1:17/ Galatians 3:11)

“So if the Son (Jesus Christ) sets you FREE, you WILL be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

YOU AND GOD...

2011-05-29T15:18:00.006-05:00

YOU AND GOD…

PEOPLE ARE OFTEN UNREASONABLE, IRRATIONAL, AND SELF- CENTERED; FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.

IF YOU ARE KIND, PEOPLE MAY ACCUSE YOU OF SELFISH, ULTERIOR MOTIVES; BE KIND ANYWAY.

IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL WIN SOME UNFAITHFUL FRIENDS AND SOME GENUINE ENEMIES; SUCCEED ANYWAY.

IF YOU ARE HONEST AND SINCERE PEOPLE MAY DECEIVE YOU; BE HONEST AND SINCERE ANYWAY.

WHAT YOU SPEND YEARS CREATING OTHERS COULD DESTROY OVERNIGHT; CREATE ANYWAY.

IF YOU FIND SERENITY AND HAPPINESS, SOME MAY BE JEALOUS; BE HAPPY ANYWAY.

THE GOOD YOU DO TODAY, WILL OFTEN BE FORGOTTEN. DO GOOD ANYWAY.

GIVE THE BEST YOU HAVE, AND IT MAY NEVER BE ENOUGH; GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.

IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD; IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.

-UNKNOWN AUTHOR

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!

2011-01-31T18:01:00.007-06:00

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!

Have you ever asked yourself when a bad thing happen… Why did this happen to me? What have I done to deserve this? No matter what you did to make that situation better, it didn’t turn out like you thought it would? Sometimes things happen to us because of the bad choices we make. And other times we make all right choices and live right and still we are faced with terrible heartaches. Why?

Let me tell you what the Bible says about this…

First we’ll examine what takes place when we knowingly and willingly sin, then we will examine when calamity comes upon us for no cause of our own.

King David was a man after God’s own heart.(1 Samuel 13:14) But one night he made a bad choice, which he paid with very painful consequences. The Bible says, that in the spring, when Kings are supposed to go to war, King David did not go and stood at his palace…

“ One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite”? Then David sent messengers to get her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.” (2 Samuel 11:2-4)

Note: Knowing that Bathsheba was married to Uriah didn’t stop King David from wanting a married woman. The Bible says that once he slept with Bathsheba he sent her back home. David probably thought, that’s the end of that night… little did he know, Bathsheba became pregnant from that one nightstand. Something I’m sure David wasn’t counting on! (2 Samuel 11:5)

We can sometimes make an already bad situation, WORST! King David thought… I know what I’ll do… I’ll call her husband who’s fighting in my army… have him sleep with her and Uriah will think that the baby is his. David’s plan didn’t turn out like he thought. Uriah instead slept at the entrance to the palace and didn’t want to go home. So, David came up with plan B… The first plan didn’t work! So He thought to himself, I’ll send him back to the battle and I will make sure Uriah dies in battle.
(2 Samuel 11:6-15) Talk about, “ Out of the fire and into the frying pan”

David rebuked for his sins…

Just when we think… no one is going to know… God KNOWS! God sends the prophet Nathan to rebuke King David for the sins he committed.

Nathan started by telling king David about a rich man and a poor man. The rich man had everything he wanted and needed but this poor man had nothing but this ewe lamb… As the story goes the rich man had a traveling visitor and instead of feeding his guest from his own flocks, he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and served it as dinner for his guest. The Bible says, that David was furious at this rich man for what he did to the poor man… David even said that the rich man deserves death for what he did. Then Nathan drops the bomb on David. Nathan tells David… “ You are that man”! (2 Samuel 12:7) Now David knows the severity of what he had done. David was the rich man and Uriah was the poor man. David took what mattered most to Uriah … his wife.

God said to David…

“ Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.”

“ This is what the Lord says: Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.” …. “ But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.” (2 Samuel 12:9-12,14)

Note: David had his own wives and concubines… he could have been with any of them that night. Instead he wanted someone else’s wife and for this, God punished him. We want to be able to do what we want, when we want and not get paid back for any of our wrong doings. We definitely don’t like it when it is being done back to us either! David’s punishment was a very heart-breaking one… strife was always going to be in his family, someone close to him was going to sleep with all his wives and the son that him and Bathsheba conceived was going to die. That one nightstand with Bathsheba, the killing of Uriah (her husband) cost David more than what he bargained for. This story if it teaches us anything, it teaches us to always… LOOK, before we leap!

Sometimes we get the chance to back up from a situation… from a conversation and we know we shouldn’t go through with it… We say, “ I shouldn’t be here”! We push all those warnings out of our minds and do it anyway. Not realizing at that time, that painful consequences will soon follow and we will have to pay for what we have done! As I said in one of my previous blogs… No one gets away with anything! (Galatians 6:7-8) God will forgive our offences/sins but we’ll still have to pay for the consequences of our bad decisions nonetheless.(2 Samuel 12:13/ Isaiah 1:18) God says: “Your own conduct and actions have brought this upon you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!" (Jeremiah 4:18) ~ In other words we bring this upon ourselves when we sin! David suffered the consequences of his sin, and so will we. There is no way around this one, my friend. (2 Samuel 12:10-12)

Note: As Christians… We have all been transform into a new creation in Christ Jesus our Lord and should not be sinning. But when we do sin … we have an advocate… Our High Priest (Jesus Christ) who is ready to stand in our behalf before the Father and says… My blood covers their sins! Hallelujah! (2 Corinthians 5:17/1 John 2:1-2/Hebrews 2:18-19) “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” We can have total confidence that “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” ( 1 John 1:8-9) According to the Bible we can come and ask God for forgiveness … and we will be forgiven! Wow… What a Loving and Merciful God we have!!!

You may say… I understand what happen to David and that what happen to him was a direct result of the bad choices he made. But what about a person like me? I haven’t sinned against God or my neighbor! And I’m facing some terrible times…

Note: Take for instance Job… What did Job do to bring all those calamities that came upon him? The Bible says: “ Job was blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”(Job 1:8) A man that sought the face of the Lord daily and he still faced some terrible and painful calamities. WHY? Job didn’t know it at the time… but God was showing off about his servant Job to the devil. Satan said to God … “Does Job fear God for nothing? ” In other words, the devil was saying to God… Job only loves you because of all the good things you do for him. But here comes the test… Then Satan said “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:11) The devil challenged Job’s faithfulness to God… But the Lord knows our hearts and God definitely knew his servant Job’s heart. God knew that Job loved Him in spite of the material things. Job truly loved GOD and nothing could have ever changed that, not even all the devil’s schemes. After Job’s testing was over... The Bible says: “ The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” (Job 42:12) Job got double blessings for all his troubles … What a loving and faithful GOD we serve! So if you are facing a difficult time in your life right now and you’ve been faithful to God. I want to say to you hang on, hold on… God is not done with you yet. What God did for Job, He can do for you!! Be encouraged my sister/brother in Christ, Trust GOD! He will never let anyone down, who puts his or her trust in HIM!!!

The Bible Says:

“ A righteous man may have many troubles, (Watch This, Don’t Miss This) But the Lord delivers him from them all…” (Psalms 34:19)

“ Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “ I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalms 91:14-15)

Note: The Lord has already warned us in advance…

“ In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) So trouble comes to us all…but remember that God promises to deliver us from all our troubles. God is in total control… All we have to do is believe what God says in his Word. Instead of worrying… spend time in God’s word and speaks His promises out loud to yourself every day… and watch God blow your mind… “Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

If we walk closely to the Lord and we seek Him in daily prayer and we study His word… We will minimize a lot of our mistakes and we will definitely have fewer regrets in life. We have to make GOD the center of our lives… if we want to be victorious Christians. Jesus already showed us what to do, so that we don’t fall into temptation… “ Watch and Pray” (Matthew 26:41). This is the key to have a successful Christian life. Spend time with God daily.

“ANYONE WHO DOES WRONG WILL BE REPAID FOR HIS WRONG, AND THERE IS NO FAVORITISM” (Colossians 3:25)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

DO TWO WRONG MAKE A RIGHT?

2010-10-14T17:40:00.013-05:00

DO TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT?

When people hurt us, lie to us, talk bad about us, we always feel justified in paying them back for their wrong doings. We may think, if they did it to me, I’m doing it back to them…. “ I’m going to give them a taste of their own medicine.” Let’s see how they like it when it’s being done to them. My question is: Is this the way that Christians should think and act when some one hurts them? Or, Do we trust God in every area of our life, no matter how painful it might be?

You may ask; what should I do when someone hurts me? Let me tell you what the word of the Living God says:

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “ Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ( 1 Peter 3: 9-12) - NIV

Note: It’s not up to us to pay people back or to teach them lessons. That’s for God to do, because He is “ The Righteous Judge Of All The Earth.” (Genesis 18:25) We can’t continue to say “ I love you, Lord ” but when someone hurts us we throw His teaching out the window, and we do this by our actions! Jesus said, “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34) We are commanded by the Living God to love one another… and this command does not depend on whether people are deserving of this love or not. Not one of us deserves God’s love, grace and mercy in our lives. And yet the Lord showers us with His amazing love, mercy and grace each and everyday! By renewing our minds daily in the word of God we will know how to act in any given situation in our lives(Romans 12:2). My friends, we must be doers of the Word of God and not just hearers. (James 1:22)

The Bible says:

“ …But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “ He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him (GOD) who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-23)

The Lord Jesus experienced betrayal, envy, and disciples deserting Him. He was filled with The Holy Sprit and yet some said He had a demon. Jesus Christ was misunderstood, He was lied about, and in the end He endured the pain and shame of the cross… Just think of all the things the Lord had to endure to save the souls of mankind…by His actions Jesus is showing us that two wrongs do not make a right!! We must learn to trust God in every area of our lives, even in the painful times. (John 13:21, Mark 15:9, John 6:66, John 8:48, John 8:14, Matthew 26:59-60 and Matthew 27: 27-44)

The Apostle Peter asked the Lord Jesus this question:

“ … “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “ I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18: 21-22) - NKJV

Note: Is this our question also, how many times shall I forgive those who offend me and hurt me? The Answer is: According to our Lord and Savior, seventy times seven we must forgive all those who sins against us (which means, in layman’s terms, many times). “ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”(Colossians 3:13)

I’m not saying that it’s easy to forgive people who have hurt us and wounded us, but it is a lot easier to forgive those who hurt us when we have Jesus by our side… He understands what we’re feeling and what we are going through because He has suffered much of the same things also! Jesus is the only one that can heal us from the inside out! In the book of Hebrews it says: (Jesus Christ is)… Our merciful and faithful high priest… “ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)

Jesus says:

“ If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-36)

Note: Some of you may say… So should I let those who hurt me get away with what they have done to me? And act as if nothing has happened? Forgiveness is the only way to release that hurt and pain from our hearts and souls. Forgiveness is not for the other person. It is for YOU! The Healing from the pain and hurt won’t begin… until we learn to let go and forgive. We already know that the word of the Lord says: “ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “ It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) So no one gets away with anything… what goes around comes back around, believe me! The Word of the Lord says: “ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. (Watch this… Don’t miss it!) A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.” (Galatians 6:7)

So again, my friends, it is not up to us to take matters into our own hands… That’s for our God to do. And that’s according to Romans 12:19. If we truly love the Lord like we say… then let’s remember what Jesus said: “ If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) We can all be better and loving towards one another if we live each day by the ‘Golden Rule’… “ Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

The Bible says, …“ God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)

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

"IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL OBEY WHAT I COMMAND"!

2010-07-11T12:42:00.012-05:00

“ "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15)

Question: Do we really love the Lord? Or do we just say that we do and not really mean it?

If you truly love someone … you will never intentionally hurt him or her! Right? If your mate tells you I love you … You expect them to show you that they truly mean it and the statement is heard a lot louder when it’s followed by their actions! How would you feel if they told you “I love you” but they are seeing other people behind your back, coming home at all late hours of the night, never spending any quality time with you? You will probably think to yourself like Halle Berry told Eddie Murphy in Boomerang... " LOVE SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT YOU HOME LAST NIGHT"!!!

So if this is the way we expect the people who claim to love us to treat us, then why don’t we love GOD in the same way? Again Jesus says: “ If you love me, you will obey what I command ” The Lord tells us if we truly love him like we say we do we will … Not judge others! (Matthew 7:1), we would treat people the way that we would like to be treated! (Matthew 7:12), we would love and pray for our enemies and we would pray for those who persecute us! (Matthew 5:43-44), We would spend time in talking to Him (Quality Time) in prayer! (Matthew 6:6) And there are many more Scriptures in the Bible that teaches us that if we truly love the Lord, we would show it by our actions! Remember friends, “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS”!!

The Apostle John says it best… “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “ I know him”, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.(Watch this…Don’t miss it!!) This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did! (1 John 2:3-6)

If we claim to love Jesus and we call ourselves Christians them lets prove it by our actions!

LOVE YOU & GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

VICKY RIVERA

WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS!

2010-06-13T00:30:00.007-05:00

WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS?

The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) NIV

Note: What a comforting and encouraging Scripture is 1 Samuel 16:7! How good it is to know that God doesn’t look at how we look, who we know, or what church we go to! The Lord looks and examines our hearts; He knows our true intentions towards Him and people.

I love what Jesus tells the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law, when they asked Jesus…

“ Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with “ unclean hands? ”

He replied, “ Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“ These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’(Mark 7: 5-7)

The Lord knows us very well and He knows our true motives towards Him and People!!

This is what our Savior says: “ Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said. “ Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’

He went on: “ What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ (Mark 7:14-16, 20-23)

The Lord doesn’t look to see if we belong to right church denomination. If we’re wearing a suit to church or if we’re wearing jeans and a t-shirt to church! If you have piercing or tattoos! None of these things God looks at! That’s what people care about and look at! The Lord says, that the bad things we harbor in our hearts and the bad things that we do is what makes us ‘unclean’… NOT what we look like in the OUTSIDE!!

“ STOP JUDGING BY MERE APPEARANCES, AND MAKE A RIGHT JUDGMENT.” (JOHN 7:24)

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

DO NOT JUDGE

2010-05-27T02:14:00.003-05:00

DO NOT JUDGE!!

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37)

We’ve all been there… When we say! I will never do what he or she did! I will never put up with what they put up with! And then we find ourselves doing and putting up with the same things that we said “ I Will Never Do” (That’s where the saying comes from… Never say, Never!!!) At times when we pass judgments on someone else we don’t even know what’s going on in their lives or why they are in that particular situation. This brings to mind an old saying, Do not judge a man, unless you have walked a mile in his shoes! I also love this saying: “ NEVER LOOK DOWN ON ANYBODY UNLESS YOU’RE HELPING THEM UP!” What a different world this would be, if we instead of judging, criticizing and talking behind people’s back … we would extent the love of Christ to them and instead of kicking people when they are down…we would pick them up and help them up, giving them encouragement from the word of God!! Do you know how many lives we would heal, save, and transform? All of this can happen by just extending the love of the living Christ in their lives!! Wow! That would be awesome!

Jesus says:

“ Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

Note: We must beware when we pass judgments on others. According to the Lord’s own words… The judgments we pass on to others will come right back on us!! Knowing that, we must think twice! Before rushing into passing judgments and criticizing others.

We just have to stop and think! If I were in that situation, what would I like to hear? What would I want someone to do for me? If it is encouragement, then encourage. If it’s a listening ear… then be a listening ear! Jesus says: “ So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7: 12)

In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul says:

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” (Romans 2:1)

Note: The Apostle Paul is telling us through the book of Romans that when we judge others… We are condemning ourselves! The Scriptures say, that we who judge others… Do the very same thing that we just talked about, criticized and judged another person on! This is called Hypocrisy, my friends! This is not what Jesus Christ has taught us to be like!

The Lord taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves and to treat people the way that we would like to be treated! (Mark 12:31- Matthew 7:12) Jesus says: “ If you love me, you will obey what I command.” “ Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ” (John 14:15- Luke 6:46) So if we truly love the Lord like we say… then we will show it by obeying Him!

The Lord was compassionate towards people when He was here on earth! Whenever He saw a need… He was there to help! Where there was sickness, He healed! The hungry, He feed! The Lost, He saved! Praise the Living God for His compassion, Mercy and Grace! Because He is good to all! … He has compassion on all he has made! (Psalms 145:9)

Let me give a couple of examples from the Holy Scriptures…

Jesus met Zacchaeus at the sycamore-fig tree! And the Lord said to him… “ Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today ”… (Watch the crowd’s reaction to Jesus dinning in Zacchaeus house) “ All the people saw this and began to mutter (to complain or grumble), He (Jesus) has gone to be the guest of a ‘ sinner’ ” (This is the miracle when we love people like the Lord commands! Watch this don’t miss it!) “ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “ Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”(Wow, this is what happens when we love people instead of judging, criticizing and looking down on them!!! God’s ways are always THE best way to Go! Always!) Jesus said to him, “ Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. (Thank God for this part!!) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

The next example is found in the book of Mark…

“ During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “ I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “ But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “ How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “ Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.”

Note: Mark tells us that Jesus fed about four thousand people with just seven loaves of bread and a few small fish…Wow! (What a miracle the Lord performed for that crowd) “ For nothing is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:37) And the Holy Scriptures say: that the people ate and were satisfied. (Mark 8:1-9) What a loving and compassionate Savior we serve! And this is, my friends, how we should treat our fellow man with love and compassion!!

“ WHOEVER CLAIMS TO LIVE IN HIM MUST WALK AS JESUS DID” (1 JOHN 2:6)

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

OUR LOVING GOD

2010-04-30T00:49:00.003-05:00

4/29/10

OUR LOVING GOD!!!

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalms 145:17-19)

Note: We will never have to wonder with God … Can I trust Him with my heart and life! The Holy Scriptures says: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made” We can be certain that He’ll be there whenever we need Him. In times of sickness, heartaches, loneliness, despair, disappointments and pain… We can count on God to be there for us and rescue us from all our troubles!!! When you think to yourself… no one cares about me, or the things I’m going through, remember God cares about you and if you ask Him to… He’ll be there to help you. His word is a comfort to our souls and the guiding light in this world.

“ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all… (Psalms 34:17-19)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
VICKY RIVERA

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

2010-03-05T21:27:00.017-06:00

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

The Bible says:

“ According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Hallelujah! (1Thessalonians 4: 15-17) NIV

Note: Some of us have family members and friends that have fallen asleep (who have died) in the Lord. This is a wonderful and exciting promise that the Lord has given for all of us who believe in Him. We will be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven someday... We won’t be separated from them ever again! What a glorious day that will be. To see Our Lord and Savior, face to face, our families and friends... I can't wait! I’m also looking forward to meeting some of you on that day face to face.

This is why we have to be obedient to Our Lord’s commands. We have our families and friends waiting for us. This is one of the reasons we cannot let anything or anyone derail us from the path that the Lord teaches us to stay on... Fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6: 12)

The Bible says:

“ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11)

The Lord is near, my friends. We must obey the Lord, study His word and do what it says. (James 1:22)

This is what the Word of the Lord says:

" What good is it, my brothers; if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “ Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead."(James 2:14-17)

"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12:2)

" May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Note: We have all heard the phrase “ No Pain, No Gain” The Lord never said it was going to be easy. The Christian life is one of self-discipline and self-denial. As a matter of fact Jesus said as they treated me they would treat you. (John 15:18-21) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) We live in this world but we are not of this world. Jesus said that he went to prepare a place for us and He also said that He would come back for us. (John 14:2-3) This world is not our home, in no shape or form should we submit to it. We should not set our minds in the things of this world but in heavenly things, our citizenship is in heaven. (Colossians 3:2 & Philippians 3:20)

God has given us a gleam into the future… What will it be like on that glorious day. In the book of Revelation 21:1-7 it says:

“ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “ Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (I don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty good deal to me… Sounds like an amazing place!!)

“ He who was seated on the throne said, “ I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

“ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Note: These are the rewards for all of those that lived a life here on earth following the Lord and obeying His commands but for those who did not believed in Jesus Christ, who did not follow or obeyed Him… Read what the word of the Lord says:

“ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” (Revelation 21:8)

“ If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

“ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

Note: Be faithful to the Lord, trust Him, follow Him, and obey Him. He’s coming soon!… “ However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Keep your eyes on the prize, my friends. Don’t look to see who’s in front of you or who’s behind you… Keep your eyes on the finish line, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.. With Jesus by your side, you cannot lose!

Jesus says:

“ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11) Jesus says, Our crowns can be taken away… So lets make sure that No One takes it from us…Be an overcomer in Jesus name!

If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and would like to have a relationship with Him… all you have to do is believe in Him, invite Jesus into your heart, ask Him to forgive you of all your sins and He’ll take care of the rest. The Bible says: “ That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Here is a sample prayer that you can say to invite Jesus into your life. As long as it comes from your heart and you mean it… that’s really all that matters:

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time You give me here on earth”. Amen

If you just invited Jesus into your heart, God bless you and welcome to God’s family.The Holy Scriptures says... For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW & ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND
VICKY RIVERA

IS THERE A HELL?

2010-01-25T11:20:00.006-06:00

IS THERE A HELL?

Some may say … I don’t believe that there’s a hell. Some may think that when a person dies they automatically go to heaven and they’re still some that believe when we die… we just reincarnate or turn into some form of energy.

According to the Bible, Hell does exist and is a real place. It is an eternal place of torment, and unimaginable pain and suffering. Let us see what the Lord Jesus says about this dreadful place…

The Rich Man and Lazarus:

“ There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

“ The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire’.

“ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

“He answered, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, “ They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

“No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, ‘ If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:19-31)

Note: According to the Lord Jesus this place called hell is a real place. A place assign for the wicked and the unrighteous. This is a place that once you go there you won’t be let out for good behavior; you won’t be let out on an ankle bracelet and serve the rest of your time at home. Once you go there you’re staying there! “ No way Out ”! Hell is just the pre-trial; the lake of fire is the eternal sentence. The Bible says: “ The lake of fire is the second death. (Watch this…Don’t miss it!) If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15)

The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to his father’s house and warned his brothers of that agonizing place called hell, where he was in terrible torment and this is what the rich man said… “But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. (Luke 16:27 & 30) REALLY???… Their was one that rose from the dead and still people to this day don’t believe in Him!! Question: Who is this who died and rose from the dead? Answer: The man they called Jesus Christ!! The Bible says: “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21)

In the book of Luke we read of that prophecy fulfilled… “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “ Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Watch what they tell the women…Don’t miss it!!) HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “ The Son Of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (Luke 24:1-7)

Note: Jesus has risen! And still people don’t believe in Him!!… So father Abraham is absolutely right, in saying… “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. (Luke 16:31)

Some say, “ Only God Can Judge Me”… That day will soon come when God will do just that! Jesus says: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. “ Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” (John Ch.5: Verses 24 & 28-29)

Note: When a person dies according to what the Lord Jesus said, you could only be escorted to two places… Heaven or Hell. If God chose to tell this story then we can be certain that there is a rich man in hell right now and that Lazarus is in heaven just as He said. God is warning all of us that if we don’t turn from our sins and we willfully reject His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior… We will have the same fate as the “rich man”. Only in accepting and inviting the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior can we escape this dreadful place called Hell. According to the bible… when people die, they will not automatically go to heaven, turn into another life form or just hang around us to watch over us. (The devil puts those thoughts in the minds of men to keep them from the plan of salvation, which is found in Jesus Christ alone!)

The Bible says:

Jesus answered, “ I am the way and the truth and the life. (Watch this… Don’t miss it) No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Let me give you another Scripture … Jesus says: “ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved ” (John 10:9) Jesus is the only way to heaven; there is no other way in!! He is the man at the door, if you don’t know the man at the door of heaven … you’re not getting in!!

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and turned from your sins… living a devoted, dedicated, committed lifestyle to our Creator then Heaven is going to be your home. If you lived as an enemy of the cross and you have sneered at the gift that God gave to the world through His Son Jesus Christ then Hell will be your home. The life you lived here on this earth and the choices you made here on earth will either lead you to Heaven with God or separated from Him for all eternity in Hell and then to the lake of fire. The choice is always ours to make!

The Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation word for word what He was told and shown. This is what John wrote:

“ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27) If your name is not in the Lamb’s book of life… your not getting into Heaven.

If you want to change the direction in which your life is going, then, now is the time to do so, do not wait, tomorrow may be too late! My friends, it is not God’s will to condemn us, He wants to save us. (Luke 19:10, John 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:9) The Bible says: “That if you confess with your mouth “ Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “ Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (Watch … Don’t miss it!) For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-12 &13)

Note: Not some will be saved, but “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord” is what The Holy Scriptures says! That’s God’s guarantee to all of us. The Bible says, that… “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill”? (Numbers 23:19) So we can rest assured that God will keep all His promises!

If Heaven is the place that someday you want to call your home, then Jesus is the Only way to get there. All you have to do is invite Him into your life, ask Him to forgive you of all your sins and He’ll gladly come in and transform your life from the inside out. (Revelation 3:20) This is why the Lord Jesus came to the world, to save us from our sins and to someday take us to where He is…

Jesus says:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM. (John 14:1-3) JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR US! We have Jesus word on this promise. I know that, what Jesus has spoken will happen just as He said it would. (Matthew 24:35) If we obey and follow the Lord like He commands, then, this promise will be ours for sure. (John 14:15, Ch.15: 10)

“ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. ” (Acts 4:12)

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

HOW IS FORGIVENESS LINKED TO OUR SALVATION?

2009-10-10T15:49:00.010-05:00

HOW IS FORGIVENESS LINKED TO OUR SALVATION?

It can be hard for us to forgive people who have hurt us more than words can express. Especially when those wounds have to do with a loved one that has been murdered. Or when we suffer sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, someone has stolen from us, or when people we trust have talked about us behind our backs to name a few. All of these situations are difficult to forgive, forget and move on from. My friends even though it is difficult…We can all overcome and we can trust the Lord Jesus to take care of the rest.

In the book of Matthew the Lord addresses the topic of Forgiveness… In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “ I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents (that is, a million dollars) was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “The servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me’, he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii (That is, a few dollars). He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘ Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “ His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him. ‘ Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “ Then the master called the servant in. ‘ You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘ I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. (Watch why Jesus told this parable…don’t miss it) “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from the heart.” (Matthew 18:21-35)- NIV

Note: I imagine that this servant while in prison thought, ”Why didn’t I let that go… “ I just got my million-dollar debt canceled and the first thing I do is choke, hassle, and throw my fellow servant in jail for just a few dollars.” Now this man was in prison, tortured by the jailers… All of that for just a few bucks that he just couldn’t let go of. It does not make any sense, does it? And it definitely wasn’t worth it, once you look at it in that way.

Just like this king who had canceled that servant’s million-dollar debt, God has also forgiven us for all our multitude of sins. When we ask the Lord to come into our lives and to forgive our sins… They are forgiven, no question asked … You get a clean slate with God, A brand new beginning. Wow, that’s awesome news! In fact the Bible says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, (Watch this, do not miss it) NOT COUNTING MEN’S SINS AGAINST THEM. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

How good it is to know, that our debts are canceled and our sins forgiven. God tells these parables, so we can reflect on them when we are dealing with forgiving another fellow human being. When someone hurts us, it is then that we must remember the lesson that the Lord has taught us in this parable and not be like the unmerciful, wicked servant. Let us offer love instead of hate, mercy instead revenge… “ Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13)

Note: In the Old Testament we read of one of the greatest acts of forgiveness and it is found in the Joseph Story.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:27-28) Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt? … Betrayed by his own flesh and blood. He didn’t do anything wrong to deserve this from his brothers. It was out of jealousy that they sold Joseph to the Medianite merchants. Jealousy of their father’s love towards Joseph and Joseph’s dreams is what drove his brothers to sell him into slavery.

The Medianites in turn sold Joseph in Egypt to a man named Potiphar. Joseph faced many trials in Egypt but through all the difficulties the Lord was with him and the Lord gave him success in whatever he did. God allowed these things to take place in Joseph’s life to propel him to his divine destiny. Joseph’s dreams came to pass and his brothers got to witness those dreams fulfilled. Joseph’s brothers didn’t realize it at first, neither did they recognized their brother Joseph when they came to Egypt to buy food. (They came to Egypt to buy food because of a famine in their land) Their little brother Joseph had become the second man in command in the whole land of Egypt. In the end Joseph forgave his brothers for their wrongdoings. What they meant for evil God turned it around for good. (Genesis Ch. 39-50)

The greatest act of forgiveness is found in the New Testament:

Jesus said, “ Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Our Lord prayed this prayer for people who wanted him to be crucified, people who were mocking Him while He hung from the cross, and for people who were waiting around for Him to die. Jesus prayed this prayer while bruised and bleeding from all the beatings He endured, with his flesh hanging from his body; nails through his hands and feet, with a crown of thorns on his head. Jesus said, “ You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-45) Jesus was praying for his enemies, He prayed for those who were persecuting Him. Our Lord didn’t just talk the talk but He walked the walk. Our Lord has not asked us to do anything that He himself didn’t do while He was living on this earth. We have the choice to obey or not… But remember we’re the ones that have to live with that choice and the consequences of that choice. Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for all of the sins of mankind (Leviticus 17:11- 1 John 2:2), with His precious blood all our sins are wiped clean! We are forgiven! (Hebrews 9:22) The debt is paid in full!

Let me stop here for a minute to say… If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and would like to start a relationship with Him… All you have to do is ask Him to come into your life and He’ll gladly accept your invitation. I wrote for you a sample prayer to invite Jesus into your life… As long as it comes from the heart that’s all that counts! God bless you and Welcome to God’s family!

Salvation Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time you give me here on earth. Amen

Note: Jesus was the sinless, blameless Son of God… An innocent man paying for a debt He did not owe, He paid for sins He did not commit. Question: Why did Jesus go through all of those horrific things? What’s the purpose? Answer: Love for you and me took our Lord to the cross. The Bible says: “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Joseph’s life would foreshadow what the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would suffer while on earth. They both were faced with betrayal from those who were closest to them, wrongly accused, misunderstood, and sold for money. But we can see in both of their stories their exemplary act of forgiveness to those who wronged them. The Bible says: “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) Joseph’s divine purpose was to save the world from starvation. (Genesis 50:20) While Jesus’ divine purpose is to save the souls of mankind. (John 3:14-15) This is the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus Christ: Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Everything in Heaven and on Earth has a divine purpose… We just need to trust in the God that is Omnipresent (God is everywhere at the same time), Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omniscient (all knowing). This is an Awesome God we serve!! My friends. If this is the kind of God we serve then we should know that God is never caught off guard… He has a plan for all of us. We can rest assured that God is in total control. We just need to believe it and trust in Him.

The Bible says:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” “ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17, 19-21)

Note: I’ve been through some rough times in my life. I didn’t think I was ever going to get over it, let alone move on from it. In those painful times I’ve learned to run to the Lord in prayer and I spend time in His word. I know that the Lord has a solution in His Holy word for whatever situation I’m facing in that particular moment. Jesus teaches me how to deal with those difficult moments and especially to trust in Him. Without the Lord’s guidance, His comfort, and the hope I have in Him… My life would be an empty shell, a total mess. Every time I call on His name, He is always there to reassure me that He is bigger than my problems and that With Him by my side… I cannot lose. “ “ If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) – NIV

Jesus hasn’t asked us to do something that is impossible for us to do. It’s a matter of choice and that… We can all do! It is not something out of our reach. The question is: Are we willing to obey and follow the Lord in all things? The choice is always ours to make. I pray that our choice will be to always follow, trust and obey the Lord in all things.

“ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

God Bless You Now And Always,
Your Friend
Vicky Rivera

EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO GODLY LEADERSHIP

2009-09-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO GODLY LEADERSHIP

“ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6) – NIV

The only way to empower our youth for Godly leadership is to teach them to obey and follow the Lord. God has given us parents the mandate and the responsibility to teach our children the commandments of the Lord our God. If we truly love our children and want the best for them then we will have to teach them to love the Lord, to be faithful, devoted and obedient to Him. Why is it so important for our youth to know the Lord? Let me answer this question with the words that Moses spoke to Israel before they entered the promise land … “ And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today… (Watch this… Don’t miss it)… for your own good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) Obedience to Our God will always bring blessings to our lives and home. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) Disobeying our God will always bring curses, calamities and destruction to our lives and home. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)

Only in obeying the Lord do we have joy, peace, unconditional love, purpose, fulfillment in life, and success for our future… “ You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.” (Deuteronomy 28:6) Life is a lot less complicated when we obey and Follow the Lord. If this is the kind of life you want here on this earth then we must be faithful and obedient to our GOD. The bible says: Do not be deceived: GOD CANNOT BE MOCKED. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE. (Galatians 6:7-8) “ NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM US DOING EVIL … NOTHING”

To the Israelites obedience to God meant protection from their enemies, food on their tables, Health for their bodies, etc. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) Moses warned all the Israelites before they entered the promise land what would happened if they didn’t faithfully follow and obey the Lord commands. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) In the different books of the Old Testament, you will read of how Israel rebelled against God and how God brought calamities, destruction, devastation, and eventually because of their refusal to repent, Exile. This is exactly what Moses told the Israelites would happen if they forsake the Lord their God and served other gods.

Empowering our youth for godly leadership. How do we empowered our youth for such a task? Let me give you a couple of stories from the bible that can aid us in accomplishing this goal. In the book of 1 Samuel the bible says: “ The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.” (1 Samuel 3:1) The prophet Samuel is a great inspiration to me in my walk with the Lord. The bible says: Hannah asked the Lord for a son. (1 Samuel 1:11) Hannah vowed to God that if He granted her request and gave her a son that she would give him to the Lord. God heard her prayer and granted her request. (1 Samuel 1:20) When the time came for the boy to be given to the Lord, Hannah gave her son to Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 1:24-25) … but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 2:11) As a young boy Samuel was brought to the temple of God and from then on Eli the priest taught Samuel the ordinances and commands of the Most High God. Samuel became a prophet and the judge of all Israel under the ministry and the training of Eli the priest. (1Samuel 3:20 - Ch.7: 15) Thank God for the people who He sends into our lives to teach us and to help propel us into our divine destinies.

The second story is found in the book of 1Kings 19: 19-21 when Elisha became the servant of the prophet Elijah. When the time came for Elijah to be taken up to heaven Elijah asked his servant Elisha … “ Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “ Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “ yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours – otherwise not.” (2 Kings 2:9-10) The bible says that Elisha saw his master being taken to heaven… (2 Kings 2: 11-12) so Elisha request was granted, he received the double portion of his master’s spirit. Talking about being at the right place at the right time! My friends don’t ever despise your low position in any ministry because you don’t know when God’s promotion will be coming your way. Be faithful and respect those …“who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:12)

If we would like to see our youth, our children in godly leadership then we need to take the time to teach them, to guide them in the ways of the Lord. We have all had someone who nurtured us in the word of God, someone who planted the seed of the word of God into our lives. None of us would be teaching, preaching, or ministering if we didn’t have a godly leader in our lives to minister under, someone who took us under their wing.

I would like to tell you about the godly woman who nurtured me and planted the word of God daily into my life. That person is my Grandmother (Antonia) who has gone to be with the Lord. She taught me and told me about our Creator when I was a young child and although I didn’t give my life to Christ until I was an adult … I thank God everyday that He used my grandmother to plant His word in me. My first bible was a gift from my grandmother. She wrote a passage from Scripture that I would never forget and it reads like this … “ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119: 9) It’s been 21 years since my grandmother transferred her residential address here on Earth to her new permanent address in heaven, but I can still remember all the things she would say about Jesus. I can still remember seeing her on her knees for hours in the middle of the night praying for all her children and grandchildren. I can still remember her telling me, Vicky “ Though your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will receive you (Psalm 27:10). I saw God in her and He worked through her.

I would like to share with you one of the great miracles GOD did through my Grandmother. When I was very young, I remember being injured and I was bleeding from this injury, my grandmother didn’t panic, she just told me to lie down on the floor and she got her anointing oil and prayed over my injury. As soon as she was done with her prayer I was completely healed. It was like I never got injured in the first place. I know now, that God wanted me to know that He was the One and Only True God. This is the reason, I write the way I write and admonish people to follow and obey the Lord. I know He is real with all that’s in me; I know that I know… HE LIVES!! And He is coming back soon. The word of the Lord dwelled richly in my grandmother’s heart, she spoke of His word daily to me. So the word of the Lord was fulfilled in my life, in that we should … “ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6) – (NIV) I am a Christian today because my grandmother took the time to train me, to teach me the ways of the Lord and to show me His miracles. I’m grateful and thankful to have had such a godly woman in my life and I can’t wait to the day when I’ll get to see her again.

Parents and grandparents keep teaching the ways of the Lord to your children and grandchildren because we know we serve a God who is faithful and true (Revelation 19:11) and this word in Proverbs 22:6 will be fulfilled in your children and grandchildren lives, if we take the time to train and teach them God’s commandments. So let us be diligent in guiding and teaching our children to live a devoted and committed lifestyle to their Creator. The bible says: “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

Our Lord Jesus Christ did not do anything on His own but only spoke what the Father taught Him to say. (John 8:28) Every word that Jesus spoke in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John will lead us to eternal life and we must be faithful in obeying the Lord if we want to inherit eternal life. Study these books and live by them. The Father says this about the Son (Jesus Christ) … “ This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM!” (Matthew 17:5) I want to share this last Scripture with all of you, in Luke 11: 27-28 – “As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “ Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of GOD and OBEY IT.” It is important for all us to live a lifestyle of obedience to our God and to teach our youth, our children and grandchildren to obey the words of the living God, their lives and souls depend on it.

God Bless You All Always,
Vicky Rivera

You Can Count On God

2009-06-02T00:17:00.003-05:00

You Can Count On God

… And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3) NIV

God said to Abram “ I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

Abraham believed God and the bible says: “ that it was credited to him as an act of righteousness ” (Genesis 15:6 / Romans 4:3) God just wants us to trust and believe in Him, to take Him at His word. Abraham faithfulness in his walk with God didn’t just bless him and his descendents but all nations. We who are God’s children are reaping the benefits and the fruits of the covenant God made with Abraham. Abraham is a great role model for all believers to follow after. In that we should walk by faith and not by sight and that we should also obey the Lord in all things. Abraham didn’t get to see his descendents to be as numerous as the stars in heaven but Abraham knew God will make it come to past in time … God’s time. It was part of the covenant relationship that God and Abraham had. Abraham knew that “ God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19) If God said it …it will happen just as He said it would.

As a baby Christian, I remember having a difficult time in trusting and believing the things that God would say in His word. Without knowing it, I was comparing Him to people. Sometimes people let you down and at times they don’t really mean what they say. I didn’t realize that I was bringing this mind set into my relationship with Jesus Christ, until I read Numbers 23:19. This verse changed my life forever and God has given me the full assurance that I can fully trust and count on Him. That all things do work out for my good (Romans 8:28) No matter what may come I know Jesus is by my side and that trials and tribulations just refine my faith more and more which is a far greater worth than gold (1 Peter 1:6-7) I don’t look at the situation, I look to the One who has said “ I will never leave you or forsake you”(Joshua 1:5/ Hebrews 13:5)) to the One who has said “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11) Who or what is greater than Our God, Nothing and No One. I use this verse in Numbers 23:19 whenever doubt or disbelieve tries to creep back into my mind. Since those earlier years my relationship with the Lord has grown and is still growing to heights that I didn’t think was ever possible for me to reach … my faith has grown and my trust in Him unshaken. I know that the God I served is 100% reliable.

Just like the covenant Abraham has with God, so it is with us who have accepted and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. What’s this covenant? It is laid out for us in “The Lord’s Supper”

“ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “ Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “ Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-30/ Mark 14:22-25/ Luke 22:15-20) Every covenant comes with a promise and what an awesome promise this is my friends. In the book of John, Jesus speaks of this promise…

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM. (John 14:1-3) JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR US! We have Jesus word on this promise. I know that, what Jesus has spoken will happen just as He said it would. (Matthew 24:35) If we obey and follow the Lord like He commands then this promise will be ours for sure. (John 14:15, Ch.15: 10)

This is the covenant relationship I have with the Lord Jesus Christ. This covenant relationship is not just for me only but is offered to all of those who will believe, accept and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The bible says: “… But there is a friend who sticks close than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) and this is the kind of friendship and bond that God gives to all those who seek Him and serve Him faithfully. “No Greater love”, “No Better Friend.”

GOD BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS,
VICKY RIVERA

A Call To Holy Living

2009-05-09T21:25:00.003-05:00

A CALL TO HOLY LIVING

A call to holy living, what does this mean? How can we live a holy life before our God?

To live a holy life is to walk on this earth as the Lord commanded. Are these commandments to hard to carry out? No. The question is: Are we willing to do them? Everyday we make choices … whether to do right or wrong, and the choices we make will either lead us to eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven, or Separated from God in hell and then for all eternity to the lake of fire. (Revelation 20: 14-15)

The Lord commands that we do not: commit adultery, (cheating on your spouse) fornicate, (sleeping with someone your not married to) idol worship, lying, steal, murder, witchcraft, (do not consult psychic’s / mediums) etc.

Those that do not obey the commands of the Lord are not His children and only His children are heirs of the kingdom of God. The Bible says, that the disobedient are children of the devil. “ He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.” (1 John 3:8)

1 John says this concerning the true children of God:

“ No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:9)

Note: Do you know that if we hate another fellow human being…the Lord considers us, “ A Murderer”? Let me show you where it says this in the Bible…

“ Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him” (1 John 3:15)

Note: The children of God will love God not by words only but in action…when we put into practice what the Lord has taught through the Holy Scriptures then we are considered his children.

Jesus says: “ Whoever has my commands and obey them, he is the one who loves me. (John 14:21) and this is how the children of God will live a holy life here on earth by walking in obedience to their Creator and Father. Not just by talking the talk but by walking the walk. “ Doing what the word says”. (James 1:22) Jesus is the door to heaven …if you don’t know the man at the door your not getting in. (John 10:9- NKJV /John 14:6- NIV)

Note: According to Jesus own words, to receive eternal life is to believe in him…that’s our first step (John 3:16). Does everyone that hears the words of the Lord believe and repent? No. Why?

The Lord answers this question in his conversation with Nicodemus….

This is the verdict: Light (Jesus) has come into the world, but men loved darkness (their sin) instead of light because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

Jesus says: “ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

Note: Jesus has his arms open wide waiting for people to come to Him…to believe in Him, to follow and obey Him but sadly not everyone will believe in Him or accept Him…Their sin is a lot more attractive to them than following and obeying the Lord.

Eternal life is a free gift to all, but we must reach out and get it… It’s there for you if you want it. God is not going to push Himself on anyone. I personally wouldn’t want anyone to be with me who didn’t want to be …I would rather that they be with me because they want to be ... Wouldn’t you? So the choice is up to us to reject Him or accept Him.

There are only two roads in life that man can take: one that leads to heaven (Jesus) and the other one (going your own way/making up your own rules) that will lead to hell.

You could follow and obey the Lord and receive a rich welcome into heaven, Or you can go your own way and do what seems right to you but know this… the consequence of living this way will lead to a separation from God in hell and then for all eternity in the lake of fire.

The Bible shows us how to live holy lives; this is why it’s very important that we study the Scriptures. In 2 Peter it says:

“ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Note: This is how the children of God will behave while living here on this earth…

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness; knowledge; and to knowledge; self-control; and to self-control; perseverance; and to perseverance; godliness; and to godliness; brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. (Watch this last verse…don’t miss it) For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Note: Peter says add to your faith goodness, etc… what is Peter saying here? Faith in what? Faith in Jesus Christ is what Peter is telling the reader. The first step of whoever wants to be saved is to believe in the Savior of man’s soul…Jesus Christ. (John 3:16/ Acts 16: 30-31) and after we do this, the next step is to walk on this earth as the Lord commands. (Holy Living)

Can we behave like this on our own…like the Bible is telling us to do in the book of 2 Peter and many more other passages in the Bible? No. Jesus tells his disciples in the book of John this…

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (But watch what happens to those that do not remain in Jesus) If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15:5-6)

Note: To remain in Jesus means to apply to your life His commands… to live your life here on earth, following His examples; by these actions… you will remain in Him and He in you. You have Jesus word that if you believe, trust and obey Him…YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN. That’s all you have to do…I think that’s a pretty good deal if I ever heard it. But once again the choice is yours… to reject Him or accept Him.

John the Baptist says in the book of Luke:

“ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)

Note: The trees here represent people; good fruit means to repent of our sins, following, and obeying the Lords commands and the fire here means hell.

What John the Baptist is telling people through the book of Luke could be translated as this:

“ People that do not repent of their sins and do not follow the Lord like the bible commands…these people will be send to hell and then for all eternity in the lake of fire.” (God does not play games what He says He means)

The Lord is calling His people to Holiness and to get ready for His return. I believe with all my heart that His return is very near. It is not hard to see all the things that the Lord spoke about when his disciples asked Him the question: What would be the “Signs of the end of the age”? (Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36). We see it every time we turn on our televisions. It’s on the news, politics, technology, and even in the weather. We as the body of Christ need to walk in holiness and reverence before our God.

In the book of Hebrews it says:

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness No One will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

We do not want to be left behind like the foolish virgins; who weren’t prepared to meet their bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1-13) The Lord said these parables to us so that we may watch and pray, and that in watching and praying we would be found a holy nation prepared for his kingdom.

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Had Enough Yet?

2009-04-01T02:12:00.009-05:00

HAD ENOUGH YET?

Have you ever made a choice in life that you thought was a great decision when you made it, just to have it blow up in your face? Those are the times when we realize we should have taken the time to analyze that decision before we went full steam ahead without considering the consequences of our choices. Well, this story that Jesus talks about in the book of Luke is also about a young son that made a choice in life that later he would have to admit to himself and to his father that he had made the wrong choice.

In the book of Luke, Jesus tells us about “ The Parable Of The Lost Son”.

Jesus continued: “ There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in the whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men. So he got up and went to his father. (Luke 15:11-20)

Note: How many times we must have thought to ourselves, “The grass must be greener on the other side”. Somehow we thought we’re not getting what we wanted or what we thought we deserved and we make foolish decision under this false pretence. This young man had it made at his father’s house and he didn’t even know it. We sometimes don’t see or recognize how good we have it, until it is gone. We all make mistakes, not one of us are perfect but when we do something wrong we should not be too proud to say “ I was wrong, I made a mistake, I’m sorry, Forgive me.

When we disobey the Lord and we ignore His guidance for our life, we are also making a bad decision, a huge mistake! Only in obeying the Lord do we have joy, peace, unconditional love, purpose, and fulfillment in life. Success for our future… “ You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:6). We cannot continue to live this rebellious lifestyle against God and not have His hand against us (1 Samuel 12:15). This is when we have to heed what the Apostle Paul tells the Galatians: Do not be deceived: GOD CANNOT BE MOCKED. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE. (Galatians 6:7-8)

In this Parable, the young son goes back to his father and this is what happened:

“ But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate (Luke 15:20-24). Just like this young man’s father had compassion for his son so will GOD have compassion on all who will come to Him with a repentant heart.

Note: Going our own way, doing our own thing, never works. We don’t know what’s best for us. No matter how smart we think we are, without God’s guidance in our lives we will all fall flat on our faces. Life is hard enough as it is and we are making it even harder for ourselves by going against the only One that can help us and save us from our problems, GOD. This was a lesson that the prodigal son had to learn. The very person he had to return to for help was the very same person he turned from and hurt the most, his father.

This is what God is saying to us from the book of Jeremiah: “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (Watch this …don’t miss it) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11-14). It’s never too late to tell God I was wrong, I made a mistake, I’m sorry, forgive me. Some people like to see others fall flat on their faces so they could laugh at them or say, “ That’s what you get for not listening” but this is not how God is. God is waiting with open arms for you to return to Him… He can’t wait for that wonderful reunion between you and Him. Words cannot express how much He loves you, how much you mean to HIM.

Note: GOD is not a God of rules, as some may think. This is not a legalistic teaching; it is about a Holy GOD who expects his followers to mimic the life of His Son (Jesus Christ) here on earth. Jesus says: Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me (John 14:21). Actions speak louder than words!

When a person is filled with the love of God, Filled with the Holy Spirit… they will love their neighbor as themselves (Romans 13: 8-10). They will not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but instead they will bless (1 Peter 3:9). They will love and pray for their enemies (Matthew 5:44). They will forgive others who have offended them just like their heavenly Father forgives them (Matthew 6:14-15). They will treat people the way they themselves would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12). They will know that they’ve been saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), and they will definitely know that this doesn’t mean… “ Hooray! I been saved by grace, so, now I can live like hell and still go to heaven” No! The bible says: “ Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).

Let me give you another scripture concerning the way all Christians should conduct themselves while living here on earth. This scripture is found in the book of 1 John and it reads like this: “ We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “ I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. (Watch this…don’t miss it) This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

Everything about us should let the world know that we are “A New Creation” our lives should be a walking mirror of the living Christ living inside of us. The things that God tells us to do are not burdensome or too hard to carry out; it’s only a matter of choice. Whose choice? Our choice! “ The world and its desires pass away; BUT the MAN who DOES the WILL of GOD lives FOREVER” (1 John 2:17)

Note: God just wants His followers to do right, live right. Love God, Love people… What’s so wrong or hard about that? It’s only hard because we are not willing to live this kind of life. So we use every excuse possible not to follow and obey the Lord. We blame God, family, friends, circumstances, is always somebody else’s fault… We never look in the mirror and say, “ It’s me”. I’m the problem, I admit it, I just don’t want to live this kind of life; I do not want to serve and obey God, sin is a lot more fun and attractive to me right now… “but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). It’s never too late to take a new direction in life; it’s never too late to do the right thing. If you have reached the point in life when you say, "I HAD ENOUGH" and you're ready for a change in your life then Jesus is the ONE to call upon. Nothing in this world last forever, but what you do for the Lord Jesus Christ will! You have to make a decision; do I follow God or the world? The choice is yours.

“ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

What Kind Of Builder Are You?

2009-03-20T17:54:00.003-05:00

WHAT KIND OF BUILDER ARE YOU?

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, sickness, death, and betrayal. These will come; 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 has given us the answers and instructions on how to deal with them when they come. 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)

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 teaching 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 change in your life and to be able to handle the difficult times that will come, you will have to do your part. As the saying goes, “ The Lord helps those who help themselves.” Let me give you an example: In the beginning of the year I wanted to loose 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.

Remember God’s commands are meant to guide you and protect you. He is our loving Father and He wants the best for us. Obeying Him is in our best interest. Trust Him…He’ll never let you down.

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Don't Give Up!

2009-03-04T12:28:00.009-06:00

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…

“ 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 to their life. 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 they are in. A person who builds his home on the rock will hear the voice of their Shepherd and follow Him… 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 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.

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.

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 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 Him 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… Fight the good fight of faith!!!

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Saying Bye To The Old Man

2009-02-11T16:59:00.019-06:00

SAYING BYE TO THE OLD MAN!

The Bible says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Note: "The old has gone", Paul tells the reader. The old way of thinking, the old way of behaving is no longer acceptable for any Christian to live by any longer. Everything about you should let the world know that you've been born again, that you are a new creation, a new person!

Why would people be attracted to Jesus if we behave and act like those who have no hope? They may say to themselves “ if it didn't work for you ... it won't work for me either”. We as children of the living God we must walk, talk and act as His Children... In complete Holiness.

The world is looking for peace, for love and permanent lasting solutions for the different problems that humanity is facing right now. The answer to all these problems is and it will always be in a committed and devoted relationship with Christ Jesus. Living a life of obedience to God will always bring blessings, but living your life in opposition to God’s commandments will always bring devastation and destruction. Only God can turn things around for our good but we have to be willing to follow and trust His plan for our lives. (Romans 8:28)

If the life you live consists in the total opposition to God’s way of living and you rebel against His commands, then, when things go wrong in your life, you can’t say why has God allow this to happen to me, where is God? We can’t do what we want and then expect things to be great and wonderful in our lives. If you want to have success and happiness in this life then, my friends, only those that follow and obey the Lord will have a happy and successful life. If you’re tired of going your own way and if you are frustrated that everything you have tried hasn’t worked… then, try doing things God’s way. What do you have to lose? You’ve given everything else a try... God says; He will give success and happiness to all those that follow and obey His commandments, He will take care of you. (Matthew 6:25-33)

The Bible says:

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:11-14)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Galatians 6: 7-8)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “ Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-14)

What is in the old nature? This is what Paul tells the Galatians...

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Remember these letters are written to the church … saved people)- Galatians 5:19-21

Note: As Christians...We are made into “ A new Creation” we have no business wallowing up in sin any longer. That old life should not have a place in any Christian’s life, Nothing about that old nature should be appealing to us. That old life was meaningless, empty and destructive. What’s so attractive about that?

The life of a Spirit- filled Christian will be lived in this way- "The Fruits of the Spirit"

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envy each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)

Note: We have to be disciplined servants of the gospel of our Lord. We, who say to others … I am a Christian, we must walk, talk and live like Christ's commands... We must be faithful servants of the living God. (1 John 2:6)

I can relate and understand to what Paul tells the Corinthian Church in how he deals with the old nature. I have committed myself to exercise everyday and to eat healthy. I want you to know that this is not always easy but I am determined to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. Whether my body feels like it or not we exercise everyday and we eat healthy no matter how many fast food places we pass along the way. I made up my mind… I want to be healthy and with God’s help I will continue on this committed lifestyle and this same approach I have in my walk with Jesus. I stay close to my King in fasting, prayer and daily biblical studies. In the same way we should all have a committed lifestyle in righteousness, in holy living and in walking in obedience to our God. Make up your mind not to let sin be your master but count yourselves dead to sin once and for all.

Look what Paul tells the Corinthians in how he deals with the old nature....

" Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

Let us follow Paul’s exercise routine for righteous and holy living.

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Who Is My Neighbor?

2009-02-04T14:09:00.012-06:00

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

In the book of Luke the Lord tells: “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

What is written in the Law?” he replied. “ How do you read it?”

He answered:“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, Love your neighbor as yourself.’

“ You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “ Do this and you will live.” (Meaning you will inherit eternal life if you love God and love your neighbor)

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “ And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “ A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest (One who suppose to be a man of God) happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (The Levites are ordained for the priesthood and to serve in the temple of God)

But a Samaritan (The Jewish people did not associate with the Samaritians ... they did not get along with one another), as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘ Look after him.’ He said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” (Mercy is when you see someone needs help, and you help him or her)

Jesus told him,” Go and do likewise.” (Luke10: 25-37)

If we are prejudice or racist against a people or nation, we are sinning against Our God. We are willingly breaking the command “ Love your neighbor as yourself”. One designer created all the peoples of the earth and His name is the Lord.

The Bible says:

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

In the book of Genesis says:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. (Gen1: 27-28)

We all came from one source, Adam and Eve. We are all connected, we are all brothers and sisters, and we all have one Creator. As believers we should not let other people, the media, or your co-workers lead us into a path of destruction. Disobedience to Our God will bring a curse upon us. We are not supposed to be people pleaser but God pleasers.

“Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. (Acts 4:19) If we love all people, like the Lords commands regardless of their ethnic background, then we will be placed in the side of the sheep. (Matthew 25:34-40) but if we do not love all people like the Lord commands then we will be placed in the side of the goats. (Matthew 25: 41-46) Which side would you like to be placed on? If your answer is in the side of the sheep, then WE MUST OBEY THE LORD! “ LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”

If you are prejudice or racist against people who are not of your race…well let me tell you something heaven is not for you. In the Kingdom of God there are Chinese, African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasian, and many other races. (Revelation 7:9-10) If we can’t get along or love one another here on earth, what makes us think we will be any better in heaven? When we disobey the Lords commands, we are not acting like children of God but of the devil’s. Let me show you where God says this…

1 John 3:7-10

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

1 John 4:20

If anyone says, “ I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Recently, in the media, we have seen attention being drawn the subject of illegal aliens in our country. This recent problem has caused racism against many that are of Latino decent, whether they are illegal or not. I myself, as a Puerto Rican, have experience this first hand. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Because of this, people born on the island of Puerto Rico are born citizens. Many times ignorant people will discriminate against Puerto Ricans or other Latin American groups that are citizens and/ or born in the U.S. because of the media or other people’s influence. These “Ilegals” as the media and people call them; these are our brothers and sisters. We are all God’s children.

As I started writing this blog, I witnessed another disturbing news on CNN. A policeman arresting a 15 yr old, who happened to be African American girl that broke a curfew law? She bit the officer, but I question does that justify the action he took, by punching her in the face and then pepper spraying her in the face also. He is a grown man and she is the child. I believe he could have handle this differently. Check this out on the web at www.MSNBC.Video.com Judge for yourself, if his action was right in dealing with this 15yr old teenager.

My friends, the Lord does not want his children divided. What parent, likes to see their children, not getting along and not loving each other? This behavior between siblings is heart breaking for parents to go through. The Lord wants his children united and loving one another. If this is something you been feeling against your brothers and sisters, ask God for forgiveness, to take away prejudice and racism from your heart and fill your heart with a sincere and genuine love for all your brothers and sisters around the world.

Who is my neighbor is the title of this blog and the answer is every human being living on this earth is our neighbor. And we must obey the Lord’s command to “ Love your neighbor as yourself”

The Lord says in John 15:12:

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

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

The Commission

2009-01-19T12:58:00.027-06:00

THE COMMISSION

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Note: GOD at times will ask us to do something for Him and there are times we don’t do it or get it right the first time around, but don’t get discouraged. We may fall down… But that does not mean we have to stay down. Get up in Jesus name and start again!

Peter denied his Lord. (Matthew 26:69-75) When, he had said, “Even if I have to die with you. I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) Could you imagine how he must have felt? When he did the very thing he swore he would not do… Could you imagine the disappointment he must have felt in himself? Peter must have thought he was not the right man for the job, since he just had denied his Lord.

The Lord told Peter …” And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will built my church…(Matthew 16:18) What God says, you will be and what you will do, will come to pass. (The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago.)- Lamentations 2:17.

Peter must have thought, after denying Jesus... I'm not cut out for this... So he went back to his old occupation (He was a Fisherman) until Jesus came and reminded him of his calling... What Peter was truly meant to do in this world! (Matthew 16:18, John 21:2-17)

"Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” (Meaning do you love this job/occupation more than me?) “Yes Lord,” he said, you know that I love you. “Jesus said, “Feed my lambs. ”Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. ”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep. ”The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Note: I’m so glad that the Lord came to get Peter back on track and to remind him of what he was called to do (To start His Church). Peter got back on track and in the book of Acts we see him in action… Full of confidence and ready to save souls for the Kingdom. (Acts 2:14-41) Three thousand people got saved because of his obedience to the Lord. WOW!

We have all had some road blocks in our lifetime and those road blocks can sometimes cause us to think and question… Maybe this is not what I’m supposed to be doing… Did I hear God correctly? My friends, a mistake, oppositions, does not mean God didn’t call you and it definitely does not mean that we just stop and give up! The Lord says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." GOD is always with us… Why are you discouraged then? (Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:18-20)

The Apostles were given a task by the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, to baptize, and to teach people to obey everything that He taught them. Going through the New Testament we can see they did just that. Nothing was going to stop these men from carrying out the Lords commands. Not prison, beatings, death, or exile. What a wonderful thing that is … When the Lord can count on us to do His will. Obedience to the Lord Jesus blesses you and others also.

Nothing was going to stop these mighty men of God from making disciples of all men and teaching the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Later in the book of Acts, the high priest and his associates gave orders to the apostles not to teach in the name of Jesus. I love Peter’s and the other apostle’s response. “ We must obey God rather then men! (Acts 5:29) "When they would not obey the teachers of the law, they were beaten and released. They (The Apostles) left rejoicing because they believed they suffer disgrace for the Name (Jesus Name).- Acts 5:40-41. I am sure they were holding on to God’s promise when they endured the beatings. (“Blesses are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”)- Matthew 5:10

Nothing was going to stop them. They knew the Lord Jesus was depending on them to deliver the gospel to a dying and hurting world it was very important for them to deliver the message. God needed them to tell people...

TELL PEOPLE WHAT?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

The Bible says:

“For the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Note: Friends the message is still urgent the Lord Jesus is still extending His invitation to everyone who would believe in Him. Salvation is free. Don’t let Him pass you by… Don't delay... Jesus is coming soon!

Thank the Lord Almighty that the Apostles obeyed the call. Their obedience to the Lord has saved millions of souls around the world and many more are still coming to the Kingdom of God each day. This gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has been translated into different languages. PRAISE THE LORD! The Lord Jesus said: And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. (Mark 13:10) I believe we are living in the last days. He (Jesus Christ) is coming soon. Live your life like the Lord commands, obey Him and most important tell others about the Savior of man’s souls… Jesus Christ.

Once we become believers we have to continue what the Apostles started. We also have the commission to deliver the gospel of our Lord to a world that needs Him desperately. Jesus is coming soon. Don’t let anything distract you or derailed you from the commission. Jesus is depending on all of us... Tell someone today that Jesus loves them and that HE is the ONLY way to Heaven. (Acts 4:12)

HE WHO TESTIFIES TO THESE THINGS SAYS, “ YES, I AM COMING SOON”. AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS. THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS BE WITH GOD’S PEOPLE. AMEN. (Revelation 22:20-21)

God Bless You Always,
Your Friend,
Vicky Rivera

What Have You Done For Him Lately?

2008-12-09T01:30:00.011-06:00

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR HIM LATELY?

“I tell you the truth,” he said, “ this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4)

God has taught his children to always share with those who don’t have. In this way you will be fulfilling the commandment that the Lord gave to us… “ Love one another” (John 13:34) To give to the poor is like we are giving to God himself.

Note: Before the Israelites left Egypt they were instructed to have the Passover meal. The doctrine of sharing is given in this passage:

“If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are.” (Exodus 12:4)

In the book of Deuteronomy 15:7-11 it says:

“ If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.

Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “ The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; (Obedience to our God will ALWAYS bring BLESSINGS!!…) Watch this next verse… then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (You Obey… God will bless)

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Note: Every human being on this planet has been created in the image of God… “ Let us make man in our image”… (Genesis 1:26) We may have a different tent on the outside but made in the likeness of our Creator in the inside. When we see a homeless person on the street, a fellow brother or sister in need, a child without a father or mother, a widow, or anyone in need of help, we can’t just past them by without giving it a second thought…without any compassion. You may think to yourself, it’s somebody else’s problem, it’s not my responsibility. WRONG…WRONG. How can we say …I am a Christian? How can we say I love God? If we see the men and women created after God’s own image in need of food and clothing and WE DO NOTHING. Where is the Christ in us?

The commandment is “ to love your neighbor as yourself ”. If we really understood the passage… “ Let us make man in our image”, then we would understand that when you give and help people who are in need, it is like you are giving to the Lord Jesus Himself. You would see the God that created you and me in them. Let’s show those in need what real love feels like… let’s show them that the faith we have is not a blind faith, but a genuine one that’s ready to be put into action. The bible says “ God is love” Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4: 16 & 21)

In the book of Mark 12:28-31 the Lord was asked, “ Of all the commandments, which is the most important? ”

“ The most important one,” answered Jesus, “ is this: ‘ Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘ Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

In the book of 1 King 17: 10-16 Elijah was send to a widow in Zarephath … In this story you will see the faithfulness of God to those who take Him at His word.

So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “ Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? ”

As she was going to get it, he called, and bring me, please, a piece of bread. ”

“ As surely as the Lord your God lives, ” she replied, “ I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die.”

Elijah said to her, “ Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. (Watch this…something has to be done first, in the part of this woman) But first make a small cake of bread for me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘ The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land. ”

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. (The word of the Lord fulfilled in this next verse… Don’t miss it) For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Note: This widow obeyed the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet Elijah and that obedience brought her and her family a great blessing… the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry… Hallelujah. The Lord is faithful but we must trust and obey Him first, just like this widow did.

In the book of Job, we read that God is very proud of his servant Job and He asked Satan if he had notice how faithful Job was to Him...

“ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8)

In chapter 31: 1-40 you will read: Why God is so proud of Job. Job is telling his friends of the kind of life that he lived … walking in the fear of the Lord and taking care of the poor and their needs. Job understood that the same God that created him also created the rest of mankind and he knew that not taking care of the poor would be a sin against God.

Let me give you some of these verses in this chapter…(verses 16-23)

“ If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, If I have kept my bread to myself not sharing it with the fatherless – but from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow- “ If I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment, and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep, If I raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in the court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. ”

Note: The bible says Job was a very wealthy man and that God blessed everything he had. Why is this? Because Job did not keep his blessings from God to himself … He shared it with those who had needs. God could count on Job to take care of the poor people in the land.

In the near future the Lord will separate a group of people to two sides: The Right side will be for the sheep (the righteous) and the Left side will be for the goats (the wicked). And these are the things that the Lord will say to each group…

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘ Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘ Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“ He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Note: I believe we will see the widow of Zarephath, Job, and many others standing on the right side along with all those that through out the Holy Scriptures have grasped the meaning of the command of the Lord “ Love your neighbor as yourself ”

Question: Which group of people do you want to be placed into? If you choose to be on the right with the sheep, you have to obey the Lord in taking care of the poor and following the Lord wholeheartedly. Then you will be standing next to the widow of Zarephath, Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the many others through out our history that have obeyed and followed the Lord.

The title of this blog is: “ What have you done for Him lately? ” My prayer and hope is that we all choose to be faithful to the Lord in taking care of the poor and their needs. By doing so we will be giving to the Lord. The Lord has given us this promise if we obey Him … then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (Deuteronomy 15:10)

Remember this- God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19) God will keep His word but you have to trust and obey Him in all things, first.

In the book of James 2: 14-17 says:

“ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “ Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it not accompanied by action, is dead.

Note: Some may feel they don’t have anything to give. All they have is what they need to live on. This is a common excuse but we should learn a lesson from these two widows in scripture. First, the widow that the Lord saw in temple in (Luke 21:3-4), she gave all she had to live on. Secondly, the widow that gave to the prophet Elijah in (1 King 17: 7-16).

This is not biblical, but I want to mention it as an example that we all have something to give. You may all remember the Christmas song “ The Drummer Boy”, he didn’t have expensive gifs to give to the new born King but he gave what he did have, his drums. All he could offer was his gift of music, and so he played his music for the new born King.

The economy in these troubling times has left many of us with a heavy financial burden, but money is not the only thing we have to offer. You may have canned goods that you can donate to the shelters, or clothes that you haven’t worn in a long time that you could give to someone else who desperately needs them. Some can give their time in helping adults and children in illiteracy programs, volunteer at a shelter, or be a big brother or sister and mentor the young…we can all give something and in this way we will be fulfilling the command of the Lord “ Love your neighbor as yourself”

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Idolotry Forbidden

2008-12-04T02:53:00.008-06:00

IDOLATRY FORBIDDEN

In the book of Exodus the Lord gives the law to the Israelites. The Ten Commandments and this is what it says…

Exodus 20: 1-6

“ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

“ You shall have no other gods, before me.

“ You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Note: The Lord has given us the right to choose either life or death…. Obedience to our Father and Creator brings life and prosperity. Disobedience to Him brings death and destruction. What will you choose?

It does not matter what that image may be or what it may represent. The Lord is very clear that we cannot make an image in the form of anything. (In heaven above or on the earth beneath or the waters below) You may call these images “saints” and Our Creator calls them “idols”. If you are bowing down to these images/idols and worshiping them, praying to them… whether you know it or not, you’re committing a great sin. You’re arousing our Creator’s jealousy… Are we stronger than He?

In the book of Deuteronomy 4:15-19 it says:

You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and stars – all the heavenly array – do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

Verses 23-24 of the same chapter Moses reminds the people not to forget the covenant that they had made with the Lord…

“ Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Let me show you how serious this is to God:

In the book of Deuteronomy Ch.31: Verses 16-18 God tells Moses of Israel’s rebellion.

And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. (Don’t miss this last verse) Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, ‘ Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us? And I will certainly hide my face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

God gave Moses a song so that it might be a witness between God and the people in their rebellion against Him, which would take place sometime in the future. (Deuteronomy 31: 19) In the next chapter 32 we read of that song… here are a few verses of that song.

Chapter 32: 16-18

“ They made Him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols.

Note: On the next verse we see what God sees in these idols…

“ They sacrificed to demons, which are not God - (Demons can manifest through idols)
gods they had not known,
gods that recently appeared,
gods your fathers did not fear.

“ You deserted the Rock, who fathered you;
You forgot the God who gave you birth.

Note: These idols/images are man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear, or eat, or smell. They cannot help you in times of trouble and they definitely can’t save you or get you into heaven. For the bible says… “ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” Jesus is the only way to heaven. (Acts 4:12)

Note: The only thing that idol worshiping brings is destruction and a curse for a people, for a nation. (Deuteronomy 27:15 & Deuteronomy 30:17-18) This is the penalty for turning from the one true God, Creator of heaven and earth and worshiping worthless things. The Lord alone is God; besides Him there is no other.

You may say to yourself … that’s the Old Testament and that’s how God did things back then…I will show you in the New Testament that idolatry is still a detestable sin to the Creator. The God that we serve is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

In the book of Acts 14:8-18 …we read of Paul and Barnabas in the cities of Lystra and Derbe…

“ In the Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “ Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. (Watch what happens to Paul and Barnabas after this man received his healing)

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “ The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. (There goes out the window, the big bang theory)

Note: The servants of God are not to be worship. God gave all his disciples/ apostles … power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2/ Matthew 10:1) Paul was called later by God to be an Apostle and to carry the Lord’s name to the Gentiles…you can read about his conversion in the book of Acts 9:1-22. Paul had the same authority as the other Apostles. These chosen men are the instruments that the Lord used to demonstrate His power…they’re coming in His name and pointing men to Him. So they are not to be made into an idol/image and be worshiped. It is forbidden.

In the book of Acts Paul tells the men of Athens this concerning idolatry…

“ Therefore since we are God’s offspring, (With this statement Paul knocks off the Darwin Theory also) we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead” (Jesus Christ). Acts 17:29-31

In the book of Romans we read of the punishment for the sin of idolatry…

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Romans 1:21-27 (No one is born a homosexual as some may think…according to the word of God it is the punishment for worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator)

Note: The book of Romans says: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie… Let me show you what this means…

The bible says: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) and the lie that man has taught is, that the world was formed by this “Big Bang Theory”.

The bible says: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) and man has taught that the human race has descended from monkey’s…“Darwin’s Theory”

And then we wonder, why have all these calamites and disasters have fallen on our nation…it is time to repent from all these sins and turn to the one true God and serve Him only. . He is our Father…our Creator…our loving and merciful God.

Note: The bible says… that God is a jealous God. He says of Himself… “For your maker is your husband…(Isaiah 54:5 & Jeremiah 3:14) and as your husband … He considers the sin of idolatry as your committing adultery against Him. “Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood.” (Jeremiah 3:9) You are cheating on your Creator by worshipping and serving created things instead of worshiping and serving Him…who is the one true God. God created the world and everything in it for the benefit of man and then man turns around and worships and serves those created things…what a let down this is to our Creator.

Now that you heard from the Lord…what will you do? “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7)

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Where Are You Storing Your Treasure?

2008-11-13T02:05:00.006-06:00

WHERE ARE YOU STORING YOUR TREASURE?

As believers, our goal here on earth should be to only carry out our Lord’s commands. We should not be focus on worldly possession because we know that when we obey His commands we are storing riches in heaven.

Solomon is described as the wisest man in the entire bible. If you read the book of Ecclesiastes, you will see that he had all that his heart desired and he tried all kinds of things under the sun. What he found out was this… “Meaningless! Meaningless! Says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) He’s trying to teach us something here… that we should not chase after those things that the rest of the world runs after. He is saying to us, I’ve been there, done that, graduated and got a trophy. He had it all and in the end he came up with this conclusion… “ Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

What kind of things are we setting our hearts on? Bigger houses, bigger bank accounts, expensive things or is your heart for God. Do you want to do and accomplish all the things He has asked us to do? The Lord says: “ No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24) As Christians this should be our goal in life… to be devoted to Jesus. Nothing else should matter. (As Solomon said this is the whole duty of man) When we put God first he guarantees that he’ll take care of us. He supplies all our needs. “ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Setting our hearts on other things than carrying out the Lord’s commands, will only lead to pain and disappointment. We watched in horror as all those people’s houses burned in the California fires. We have seen hurricanes, tornados, and tsunamis do the same things. Destroying all the things that we all work so hard to get. Others have never had any of these natural disasters come upon them, but they have had someone take away from them the things they have worked so hard to get. Sometimes this comes in the form of a repossession of your belongings; other times, there could be, a loss of a job, or even a burglary. All these circumstances are very painful. What we see here on earth is only temporary. The material things wouldn’t last. What you do for the Lord will. The Lord is making all things new (Revelation 21:5) I’m looking forward to the new things God has store up for those that love Him.

This is what the Lord says: “ Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) The Lord Jesus is a great boss to work for. He has our rewards saved for us in heaven. We can trust that our 401k and our retirement funds are safe in His hands. So do not worry about getting worldly possessions. Fix your eyes on Jesus and obey His commandments. Know that when we do this we are storing treasures in heaven.

We are the Lord’s servants, we must carry out His commands and we must also be expecting His soon return to the earth. Let me show you what Paul tells Titus:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “ “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

The book of John says:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

The Apostle Paul has been a great inspiration in my walk with the Lord. He loved the Lord and he didn’t think he wasn’t blessed just because he spend most of his time in jail.
His mind was set on carrying out the task that the Lord had given him and he was going to carry those out no matter what. Let me show you what he tells the Philippians Church:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Let me give a couple of more scriptures to show you how dedicated this man of God was… Paul knew that the Lord would reward him for his service and dedication to Him:

“ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Paul loved our Lord and Savior and he had a genuine love for people. Look what he tells the Corinthians Church:

“ For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:33 & 11:1)

This should be the goal of every Christian to seek the Lord, to obey His commands and to seek the good of others. This is how we store up treasures in Heaven. Is your heart set on getting earthly things that won’t last or is your heart set in being a servant of the living God? Knowing as you live the rest of your life dedicated to Him, you’ll be storing treasures in Heaven that will last.

In the book of Hebrews says:

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:11-12)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

A New Beginning

2008-11-01T15:24:00.006-05:00

A NEW BEGINNING

Because of what Jesus did for us at the cross…We can have a brand new start in life. The Lord will show you how to live this brand new life. Spend time in His Word (The Bible) and He’ll teach you to live a life that will bring many blessings and rewards to your life.

To get the full benefits of this new life… You will have to become everything that the Lord says a Christian person should be , we can no longer continue to be like we use to be. In the Bible it says:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"God made him (Jesus Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

"And he (Jesus Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians Ch.5: Verse15) NIV

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians Ch. 5: Verses 8-10) NIV

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians Ch.3: Verses 5-10)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians Ch 6: Verses 19-20)

Note:Once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior…Our journey doesn’t stop there, we must live a lifestyle of obedience to Him… Doing and acting like He commands. If you’re ready for “A New Beginning” then Jesus will give you a brand new start in life… He’ll change your life from the inside out…NO ONE can do for you what ONLY Jesus can do!

For those of you who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and would like to invite Him into your life and heart… All you have to do is ask Him to and He’ll gladly take your invitation. Here is a sample prayer that you can say to invite Jesus into your life. As long as it comes from your heart and you mean it… That’s really all that matters:

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time You give me here on earth”. Amen

Welcome to God’s Family… Remember Jesus loves you so much. Follow Jesus... He'll NEVER let you down!

God Bless You Always,
Your Friend
Vicky Rivera

Can You Lose Your Salvation?

2008-10-30T00:35:00.017-05:00

CAN YOU LOSE YOUR SALVATION?

Some may think that once they are saved …they are always saved. Yes, this is true for those that obey and keep Christ’s teachings. Let me explain: If we think that just because we attend church, get baptized or recite the Lord’s salvation prayer, it is enough to get us into heaven…then my friends, we are sadly mistaken. Don’t get me wrong, we must do these things as believers as an expression of our faith but this alone can’t save you. For a believer, when they partake in all those things they are publicly declaring their faith, but we must not stop there. Jesus Christ has set the example and we must follow in His footsteps if we want to inherit eternal life.

In the Bible it says:

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter, his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor. (Luke 6:12-16)

Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples that were hand picked by our Lord. He was baptized into the name of our Lord Jesus, he was sent with the rest of the disciples into the towns with the authority to heal the sick, cast out demons and to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. (Matthew10:1-2, Mark 6:6-13, Luke 9:1-2)

If salvation could not be lost and once you’re saved you’re always saved, then what happened to Judas’s guaranteed salvation? My friends it will be a big mistake if we believe we can’t lose our salvation. God has made it very clear through out the Holy Scriptures…through the Prophets and the Apostles that sinners will not enter into His kingdom. Is God unjust? NO! Judas had a sin that he had not surrendered to God and that hidden sin opened a door to a bigger sin. See Luke 22:3-6 (Judas loved money more than God.)

In John 12:4-6 says: Concerning this hidden sin:

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “ Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages?” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the moneybag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Our Lord did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery but He gave her a command “ Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:3-11). This is coming from the mouth of our Creator Himself…it is a warning not just good advice. We must be doers of God’s word. We must walk on this earth as Jesus did. (James 1:22 & 1 John 2: 5-6)

The Lord warned his disciples time and time again to “watch and pray” why would the Lord give us such a warning if our salvation can’t be lost. (Matthew 24:42, Mark 13:36-37) As long as we are here on earth we will all have to watch and pray. “ Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “ Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”(Luke 22:46) The words that the Lord spoke through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John these will lead to the path of eternal life.

Note: I believe a backslidden Christian can and will lose his position in heaven… if he’s not careful. (Name blotted out of the book of life) The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome and the good Shepherd (Christ) will not let you stray too far from the flock. However there is still a matter of choice. The Bible uses the analogy of leaven or unleavened bread. (With or without sin)

Think of the fat in our bodies as sin. With discipline exercise and diet will remove the fat. If you maintain this healthy lifestyle the fat will remain dormant (Binding spirits) however giving into temptation, not exercising, and overeating will result in the fat returning. Like wise if we are out of the will of God, out of the Word, falling back into temptation and sin... Your old nature returns and the word says sinners cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

In the book of Hebrews says:

This my friends is a warning against falling away… “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace”.

“Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case- things that accompany salvation”. (Hebrews 6:4-6&9)

Throughout the second and third chapter of the book of Revelations Jesus instructs John to write messages to the 7 churches in Asia Minor. Over and Over again we read of the blessing and rewards for the overcomer. To the believer (remember these letters are written to churches, saved people.) That continues in certain practices, there is a clear warning to repent and turn from such practices…

Revelation 2:4-5

Jesus says: “ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 1:20 reveals the mystery of the message- the seven candle sticks are the churches- I will remove thy candlestick out of its place. Meaning his place in paradise.

Removal- does not mean to include. A person is not taken to heaven as a reward for sin. Judgment and destruction is the penalty for sin.

To the Church of Sardis Jesus said this to them:

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

My friends watch this…don’t miss it. Jesus says:

“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:3-5)

Question? If your salvation is guarantee than how can the Lord say... " I will never blot out his name from the book of life" ? Answer: Because the teaching that you can't lose your salvation is false. God says if you do not repent and continue in your sin…. He will take your name off the list.

This is why I felt lead to write this blog. The teaching that you can’t lose your salvation no matter what you do…is false. This is not what the Lord teaches and you can clearly see in the book of Revelation that he will not let anyone regardless of whom they are come into His kingdom if they do not obey His teaching or have sins they have not repented from. The kingdom of God is for the overcomer…for those who didn’t give in to the passions of this world, for those who did not give in to peer pressure, for those that follow the Lord no matter what curve ball life through at them, for those that stood on the Rock “ Christ the Hope of Glory” Be an overcomer in Jesus name.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Is He Coming For You?

2008-10-29T02:03:00.006-05:00

IS HE COMING FOR YOU?

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “ why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11) NIV

Angels announced His birth (In Luke 1:26-38 – Ch.2: 8-20) and Angels tell of His return to the disciples in the book of Acts. This event will take place in God’s time… the question should not be: when is He coming? The question should be: Is He coming for you? Can you honestly say that if He came today you would be lifted up to heaven to meet Him? No one knows when they will die… if today was your last day here on earth, will the Lord welcome you into His kingdom?

Let me show you what the Lord says in the Bible:

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ Not everyone who says to me, “ Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles? ‘Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7: 19- 23)

The tree here represents people. (People that claim to know Him)
Obedience to Him produces good fruit.

Jesus has set the laws and standards for those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven. Accepting Him as Lord and Savior is our first step and after, that, the rest of our life here on earth should mirror His.

Read the Lord’s Laws and Standards:

Matthew Chapters 5-7

In these chapters the Lord delivers the Sermon on the Mt. also known as the Beatitudes. Read it, Study it and make all the necessary changes in your life now … while there’s still time to do so. Those that live their lives here on earth this way are the one’s …according to the Lord’s own words will inherit the kingdom of God ... If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)

Spend time in His word…Follow Him…Obey Him…Jesus is the only way to heaven. You can’t get to heaven just because you think you should. Going to Church does not guarantee your entry either. Obeying the Lord Jesus will. Nothing in this world is worth you losing your place in heaven.

In the book of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Revelation 22:12-15

“ Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

“ Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

“REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR”
(Matthew 3:1)

READY OR NOT…HE’S COMING. IS HE COMING FOR YOU?

GOD BLESS YOU NOW & ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA