"CHANGE NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"

 “CHANGE NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!”

Jesus said: "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26) 

Note: What a tragedy it is for us when God takes mercy on us and He gets us out of our troubles. When He forgives our sins, when He heals our sicknesses and our infirmities … Giving us a second chance in life to do right, to live right, and to leave our sinful lifestyles once and for all. But instead of abandoning our sins and living our lives for Jesus, we choose to return back to our sins. Not realizing that if we continue on our destructive path the consequences will be far worse for us the second time around! Jesus said this best, “And the final condition of that person is WORSE than the first. (Luke 11:26)

The Apostle John tells us how Jesus had healed an invalid man and that Jesus had also given the man a stern warning along with his healing… This is what John says:

“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' " So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, (Watch this… Don’t Miss It! -->) "See, you are well again. STOP SINNING OR SOMETHING WORSE MAY HAPPEN TO YOU." (John 5:1-14)

Note: Jesus told this man if he didn’t “Stop Sinning” something worse will happen to him. I would think, that, not being able to walk for thirty-eight years and not being able to take care of yourself, would be the worse thing that could happen to anyone. But of course, “THE WORSE” thing that could happen to this man is … If he didn’t heed the Lord’s warning and continued in his sins. At death he would end up in hell… That, my friends, would be the worse thing that can happen to any human being! Jesus said, “… He came into this world to give us life (Eternal Life), and that we should have it to the full.” (John 10:10) But if we DO NOT turn away from our sins and we continue in them… Death (The eternal separation from God in hell) is what we will bring upon ourselves, instead of the eternal life that Christ Jesus wants to give us. The Bible says: “FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

In John Chapter 8 Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of committing adultery. Question: Did Jesus say to her, "I forgive your sins, you can continue to cheat on your husband?" Answer: NO! What He did tell her was this: “...GO NOW AND LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN.” (John 8:1-11)

Friend, whatever sins the Lord has forgiven you of… They’re completely forgiven! (Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:12, 10:17) BUT just as He told the woman caught in the act of adultery… “GO NOW AND LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN.” Jesus gives us the same command to keep … And we should obey the Lord and NOT continue in our sins… If Heaven is the place that we want to call our home! (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 13:40-42, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 21:27)

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! “CHANGE NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE” …

Note: Friends, I’ve said this MANY times before… NO SIN is worth losing your place in Heaven. If you have any sins that you have not turned (Repented) from… Now, is the time to confess your sins to our merciful Lord and He will freely pardon all of your sins. (Isaiah 55:7, 1 John 1:9) The Sovereign Lord says: “For I take NO PLEASURE in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. REPENT AND LIVE.” (Ezekiel 18:32) The Apostle Peter also tells us, that God does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Repent and Live. While there is still time to do so!

We get another stern warning from Scripture telling us, that, if we continue in our sins… A raging fire is what will await us after death…

The book of Hebrews Says: “IF WE DELIBERATELY KEEP ON SINNING after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Note: I have said this once before in one of my older articles named: “Can You Lose Your Salvation?” And I would like to remind you of what I wrote in that blog entry because it applies to this article as well…

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 the churches--saved people.) That continues in certain practices, there is a clear warning to repent and turn from such practices…



In 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. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It! -->) 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. (Matthew 13:40-42, Hebrews 10:26-27)

To the Church of Sardis Jesus said:
REMEMBER, therefore, what you have received and heard; OBEY IT, REPENT (Revelation 3:1-3)

Note: Friends, Over and over we read in the Holy Scriptures that we MUST live a lifestyle of obedience to the living God and to abstain from the sins of the flesh. ( See 1 Samuel 15:22, John 14:15, 21, 23-24, John 15:14, Luke 6:46, Luke 11:28, Romans Ch. 6, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:34,  Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:1-8, Colossians 3:1-10, 25, Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 3:6-10, 1 John 5:18, Revelation 21:27)

The Apostle Paul gives yet another “WARNING” in the book of Galatians to put to death our earthly nature: “DO NOT BE DECEIVED: God CANNOT be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, Colossians 3:5, Romans Ch. 6)

The Apostle Paul also tells us that …

“THE MIND GOVERNED BY THE FLESH IS HOSTILE TO GOD; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It! --> THOSE WHO ARE IN THE REALM OF THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD.” (Romans 8:7-14)

Jesus says, that ONLY those individuals that obey His commands … Will have the right to enter Heaven and eat from the tree of life. (Revelation 22:14)

Friend, if Heaven is where you want to go and you would like to eat from the tree of life…Then keeping God’s commands is the only way to go. The Apostle John tells us, that, Jesus commands are not burdensome… We can keep them! (1 John 5:2-4) To produce the “Fruits of the Spirit” we need to stay/remain in the Vine … Which is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. (John 15:5-10) Trust Jesus to help you … Spend time with Him daily in prayers and Bible studies. (John 8:12)

Note: Our Savior (Jesus Christ) said: “It is written: 'Man shall NOT live on bread alone, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4)

The book of Joshua tells us to: “Keep this Book of the Law ALWAYS on your lips; MEDITATE on it day and night, SO THAT YOU MAY BE CAREFUL TO DO EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) Amen! Friends, Obey the Lord in all things and devote and commit yourselves to be doers of the word of God daily. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, James 1:22, 1 Corinthians 7:19)

Finally brothers and sisters…  “Submit yourselves, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Amen!


May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS,
YOUR FRIEND,

VICKY RIVERA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A CALL TO HOLY LIVING

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 too 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. (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 13:40-42, John 8:51, 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, not to steal, murder, no witchcraft practices, (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)- (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, James 1:22, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5:3)

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 really 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 daily.

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 ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA