STAND FIRM!

STAND FIRM!

Jesus says: "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.”(Luke 21:12)

Jesus warned us of the many signs that would occur in the end times—including the persecution of Christians. (Matthew Ch. 24, Mark Ch.13, Luke Ch. 21)

Some may have thought that it would have NEVER happen here in the land of the free…But it has and it will continue to. Look what is happening to Kim Davis. Kim Davis is in prison right now because she wouldn’t waver in her godly convictions. She could have saved herself from getting any prison time and all the animosity that she has been getting from the world … If she just had married the same-sex couples that came to her for their marriage license. But her respect for Gods holy word kept her from breaking Gods commands and so she refused to marry them. Friends, I pray that we ALL have that same boldness and faith as Kim Davis displayed, on her non-negotiation stance for the word of the living God. If we are ever put in a position that our godly morals and convictions are compromised any way, I hope that we will stand firmly on our godly convictions as Kim Davis did. http://www.inquisitr.com/2390495/breaking-kim-davis-arrested-for-refusing-to-issue-marriage-licenses-in-kentucky/

 

Note: Jesus said: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.” (John 7:7) As the world gets further and further from God… The more the world will hate Jesus, His word, and His followers. (John 15:18-19)

Jesus warned us that in the last days MANY believers will turn away from Him. Why would anyone turn away from Jesus you may ask?  Answer: They will turn away from Him because of the persecutions that they will have to endure for believing and following Him. This is what Jesus said: “Everyone will hate you because of me.” (Luke 21:17) And If you are one of those people who are worldly and people pleasers…You won’t be able to withstand (To handle) the whole world hating you for your belief in Jesus Christ. And so you will walk away from your faith in Him, and that my friends, is called being a coward… And as we all know that cowards will NOT enter the kingdom of God … “BUT THE COWARDLY, THE UNBELIEVING, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

Jesus said: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Note: If the choices are: To take people not liking me (Because I am a Christian) or to walk away from Jesus and have Him throw me into the lake of fire for being a coward. I’ll go with people not liking me… I can live with that. Choosing Jesus…Will He be your choice too? I hope so! Soon we will see… Who is really for Christ, because Jesus already said that “MANY” will turn away from following Him and what He prophesied a long time ago will come to pass…“At that time MANY will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,” (Matthew 24:10)

QUESTION: When we face the same persecutions that the early church in the book of Acts faced here in our nation…Will we STAND FIRM in our FAITH for Christ as they did? Or will we be one of the MANY that will TURN AWAY (Walk Away) from our FAITH in Christ? Friends, we need to stay in constant prayer because we cannot turn our back on Jesus? We cannot be afraid of opposition or be scared in any way of the consequences that will come our way for standing up for our faith in Christ. Isn’t Christ worth standing up for? Of course He is! We need to pray for boldness and for courage so that we will be able STAND FIRM in our faith. If your spirit-man is lacking faith…Ask the Lord for an “increase of faith” as his disciples asked Him in Luke 17:5. The apostle James tells us that if we do not have what we need… It’s because we haven’t asked God for it. (James 4:2)  

Note: It is IMPORTANT that we NEVER deny or be ashamed of our Savior, and that we remain faithful and true to Him no matter what we might face for following Him. Read it for yourself the Lords warning… If we do not pick up our cross and follow Him…

Jesus says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple MUST deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)

We MUST be bold and pick up our cross daily, if we want to enter the kingdom of God someday. Jesus said if we remain faithful and true to Him, and we do His will till the end… HEAVEN will be our home and our names will NEVER be blotted out from the book of life. (Matthew 7:21-23, John 8:51, John 14:15, 21, 23-24, John 15:14, Luke 11:28, Revelation 2:10-11, 26, 3:5, 22:14)

STILL LACKING FAITH? PRAY FOR AN INCREASE OF FAITH…

Remember that the word of God says: “… Without FAITH it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Prepared your minds and hearts, study the book of Acts (The New Testament) and see how the early church handled a world that was very hostile towards Christians. The closer you walk with Jesus the bolder you will be and the better you will be to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Jesus already gave us the recipe to be an overcomer in this world…And that’s to obey and apply His teachings into our daily lives. Obeying our Savior not only does it make us “a wise builder” but it’s the ONLY way to handle whatever storms come our way! (Matthew 7:24-25)  Stay very close to Jesus… Completely connected to “The Vine” Because apart from Him we cannot do ANYTHING! (John 15:4-10)

Note: Going back to the persecutions that we might face in this nation for following Christ… Friends, this battle is not going to be fought with physical weapons but this battle will be fought on our knees! We need to pray like we never have prayed before and be dressed daily in the full armor of our God, so that we are able to resist and stand firmly against the attacks of the devil. The apostle Paul tells us to … “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:9-17, James 4:7)

Note: Friends, if we are not daily dressed in the full armor of God… We will not be ready to face the evil times that are now upon us … And we definitely will not be able to stand up for Christ either. Our fight is NOT with people…But with the enemy of our souls, the devil. The Bible says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

The apostle Peter warns us also about our mortal enemy: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  (1 Peter 5:8-9) We are NOT alone in this spiritual battle…MANY of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus throughout the world have been fighting this battle now for many generations. Let us also keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in our daily prayers.

My dear, friends… Remain true and faithful to the Lord with all your heart, with all your mind, with all you soul… And Jesus will give you the crown of life...
 
Jesus says: "DO NOT FEAR any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”   (Revelation 2:10)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS

YOUR FRIEND,

VICKY RIVERA

 

 

HOW DEVOTED ARE YOU?

  HOW DEVOTED ARE YOU?

Jesus says: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”~(Matthew 15:8, Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13)~Amen!

How many times have we heard people say, that they are going to do something and they don’t do what they said, they were going to do? In the same way MANY people who claim to know and love Jesus don’t really mean it either. Paul has warned us to watch out for people like this and to not be deceive by what they say (We should be paying attention to their actions instead) …”By their “ACTIONS” they deny Him.”~(Titus 1:16)~Amen! Just like Jesus has also said, “These people honor me with their lips, BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME.”~(Matthew 15:8, Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13)~Amen!

At times some people say what they think is going to make them look good or honest, at the time they're saying whatever they are saying … But in their hearts, they are full of hypocrisy.~(Matthew 23:28)~Amen! We can fool a lot of people by the things we say, but we can NEVER fool God. Jesus says: “…You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, BUT GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS …” (Luke 16:15)~Amen!

Note: Jesus says: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ AND DO NOT DO WHAT I SAY?”~(Luke 6:46)~Amen! Jesus is NOT looking for people who say nice things about Him … He’s looking for those individuals who will do what He says! Jesus says: “Blessed rather are those WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY IT.”~(Luke 11:28, Psalm 128:1)~Amen! Don’t get me wrong … We should be saying nothing but wonderful things about our Savior, but more blessed are they who “OBEY” Jesus and “DO” what He says. Jesus is looking for individuals who are loyal, committed and devoted to Him. This is what Jesus says: “If you hold (Keep/Obey) to my teaching, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES.”~(John8:31,John14:15,21,2324)~Amen! FRIENDS, OUR ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS SPEAK LOUDER THAN OUR WORDS.

READ CAREFULLY “THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER”-SEARCH YOUR HEARTS HONESTLY AND SEE WHAT KIND OF “SOIL” YOU ARE?

The parable of the sower:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."~(Luke 5:5-8)~Amen!

JESUS EXPLAINS "THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER":

Jesus said: “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (Are you the 1^st soil?)

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  (Are you the 2^nd soil?)

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Maybe this is where you at right now, the 3^rd soil)

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Are you the 4^th soil?) … This is a person with a noble and good heart, who will be devoted/committed/obedient to the Savior NO matter what curve balls life throws at him / her?)~(Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:14-20, Luke 8:11-15)~Amen! 

Note:  If you have found yourself to be any other soil than the 4^th soil … There’s still time to tell Jesus that you will be loyal, committed and, devoted to Him. Ask the Lord to help you, to teach you, how to be the good soil. Spending time with Jesus daily … Living our lives like our Savior instructed, will produce the kind of “good fruit” that Jesus is looking for in all of His followers.~(Matthew 7:19-20)~Amen!

Jesus says: "I am the vine; you are the branches. IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND I IN YOU, (Watch This … Don’t Miss It!) "YOU WILL BEAR MUCH  FRUIT”; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”~ (John 15:5-8)~Amen!

Note: Jesus Himself says that without Him …We will not bear the good fruit that He and God the Father are looking for in all his disciples. Friends, it is “SUPER” important that we stay close to Jesus (daily) in Bible studies and prayers. If we do this, then we will bear much fruit. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, He is our helper … Ask the advocate for help and He will help us, teach us and guide us-- in holy, righteous and godly living. (John 14:26, 16:13)~Amen! The more we live for Jesus … The more we obey His commands and live by His teachings; the good fruits will automatically follow.  Just as Jesus has said, "IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND I IN YOU, "YOU WILL BEAR MUCH  FRUIT”; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” ~(John 15:5)~Amen!

Remember, what the Holy Scriptures say, that anyone that claims to know Jesus Christ “MUST” live as He lived.~(1 John 2:3-6, John 14:15, 21, 23-24)~Amen!

The Bible says this:

“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.”~(Matthew 3:10, Luke 3:9)~Amen!

Note: For anyone that claims to know Jesus, to love Jesus but have “NO FRUITS” in their lives … Heaven will NOT be their home. READ it for yourself, Jesus says: “… If you DO NOT remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; SUCH BRANCHES ARE PICKED UP, THROWN INTO THE FIRE AND BURNED.”~(John 15:6)~Amen!

So according to Jesus and John the Baptist…Any tree (Anyone) that DOES NOT produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire … From the sounds of it, those individuals will not be going to heaven, but to hell instead.

Friends, we are too close to the return of Jesus Christ … To be found slacking in any area of our Christian lives. DO NOT become weary or lazy in your walk with the Lord ... Seek Jesus daily, be a doer of God’s word daily.~(James 1:22, 1 John 5:2-3)~Amen! We should be fervently and passionately seeking the kingdom of God and doing His will daily.~(Matthew 6:33)~Amen! We should be found watching and praying upon the Lord's return … Bearing godly fruits when Jesus returns for His spotless, blameless and holy bride. (Titus 2:11-14,  2 Peter 3:14)~Amen! Jesus already gave us the warning about being ready for HIS return … “If he comes suddenly, DO NOT let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "~(Mark 13:36-37)~Amen!

Jesus gives the warning once again (The importance of doing daily what He has told us to do)…  “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.” … But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. (Watch This … Don’t Miss It!) à The master of that servant will come on a day when he DOES NOT expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. HE WILL CUT HIM TO PIECES AND ASSIGN HIM A PLACE WITH THE UNBELIEVERS (HELL). The servant who knows the master's will and DOES NOT GET READY OR DOES NOT DO WHAT THE MASTER WANTS WILL BE BEATEN WITH MANY BLOWS. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”~(Luke 12:37, 45-48)~Amen!

The Bible says: "… Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices AS MUCH AS IN OBEYING THE LORD? TO OBEY is better than sacrifice, AND TO HEED is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”~(1 Samuel 15:22-23)~Amen!

Jesus says: “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”~(Luke 14:33)~Amen!

Note: If we don’t make it to Heaven … It was not for the lack of warnings. The Bible tells us to live holy lives while waiting for our Savior’s return, to abstain from sinful desires, to be blameless and live righteously daily. It is a daily walk, my friends, an every day devotion and commitment in our part to the Savior.~(Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 13:40-42, Luke 11:28, John 5:14, 8:11, Romans Ch. 6, 2 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-26, Ephesians Ch. 5, Colossians Ch. 3, Titus 2:11-13, Hebrews 12:14, 10:26-27, 2 Peter 3:11-14, Revelation 21:27)~Amen!  

Note: The day that we asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of our lives (When we invited Him into our lives and hearts), at that very moment we surrendered our lives completely to Him…So the life we live now in the body belongs to Jesus. The apostle Paul tells it best …“I have been crucified with Christ (Watch THIS…Don’t Miss It!) AND I NO LONGER LIVE, but Christ lives in me. THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE BODY, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”~(Galatians 2:20, 1 John 2:3-6)~Amen!

The Sovereign Lord says: “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.”~(Jeremiah 2:32)~Amen!

Friends, Jesus is returning soon! Please be READY. Watch and Pray … “THE KING OF GLORY IS NEAR”!

Only you and GOD know, the answer to this question … “HOW DEVOTED ARE YOU ... TO THE SAVIOR?”

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS,

YOUR FRIEND,

VICKY RIVERA