WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE?

WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE?

We sometimes get caught up trying to please people around us that are not godly. We try to still fit in with them even though we know we shouldn’t be! As Christians we should be winning the unsaved to Christ and not the other way around! We can’t be dragged back from the place God got us out of.  One of the main reasons, we give in and become people pleasers is because we don’t want to feel left out, talked about or become an outcast to everyone around us. So we give in and do what people expect us to act like and live like. We completely ignore what God says about how we should live/act like while living in this world!  We are more fearful and care more about how people are going to view us or say about us, then we are in obeying and fearing God! Jesus says, this is who we should all "FEAR" (Reverence and Respect), “But I will show you whom you should “FEAR”: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to THROW you INTO hell. YES, I tell you, “FEAR” him.” (Luke 12:5)

The Bible says: “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6)  Friend, If this is the road that you’re traveling on right now (The People Pleasing Road) this road will lead to a separation from God, many disappointments and lots of devastation; it will always be a dead end road. You will soon discover that you’re NEVER going to make everyone happy. Nothing good will come out of this way of living, Nothing! In my own personal experiences I found out that if I obey the Lord FIRST, everything else in my life, people, and circumstances all line up to the will of my heavenly Father (ALL things workout for my own good in the end… BUT I have to put God FIRST! Romans 8:28/Matthew 6:33).

Note: My friends remember what James says, “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4). Not only are we committing adultery against God by trying to fit in with the world but we have also made ourselves an enemy of Gods also! We have to make up our minds and decide whether we are going to follow Jesus and act like Him, as the “Holy Scriptures” commands for us to do or do we live and act like the world! We can’t have it both ways… “…For a man is a "SLAVE" to whatever has mastered him.” (2 Peter 2:19)

 GOD says…

“DO NOT be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? OR what fellowship can light have with darkness? WHAT harmony is there between Christ and Belial? WHAT does a believer have IN common with an unbeliever?..."Therefore COME out from them and BE separate, says the Lord. Touch NO unclean thing, and I will receive you." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Note: We Christians have to live a life that is separated from all wickedness and live a righteous and holy life before our God and our fellow man! “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” And the Apostle Peter tells us, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12)) Taking this road (The Pleasing People Road) will only alienate us from our God and Savior! We are redeemed, washed by blood of the Lamb of God, transformed and made new in Christ… We’re supposed to live like it and act like it! (John 1:29, 2 Corinthians 5:17/ Ephesians 4:22-24, Ch. 5:8)

If we are not careful and continue to disobey the Lord we will find ourselves in the same situation as the “unwise virgins” in that they were NOT ready/ prepared when the Master arrived…"Later the others (The unwise virgins) also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "BUT he (Jesus Christ because He is the Master) replied, 'I tell you the truth, I DON’T KNOW YOU.' (Matthew 25:11-12)

Note: GOD needs vessels that are going to do His will, people He can completely depend on. NOT people (Worldly) pleasers! We must follow the examples of Peter and John because they were definitely God pleasers… “But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you RATHER than GOD.” (Acts 4:19) Remember always that an obedient lifestyle to God is a happy, successful, prosperous and blessed life…Leading right to Heaven! Jesus says, “He who DOES NOT love me will NOT obey MY teaching.” (John 14:24)

The Apostle Paul says this to the Galatians church…

“Am I NOW trying to win the approval OF men, OR of GOD? OR am I trying to please men?(Watch This… Don’t Miss It!!) If I were still trying to please men, I would NOT be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

Note: Here Paul telling the Galatians church that if he was trying to be a people pleaser, he would "NOT" be a servant of Christ!  Paul was more concerned on how God saw him than what people thought of him.  And this should be the same attitude/mind set that all the followers of Christ should have in their daily lives. We all have examples from Jesus and his disciples on how to live godly and righteous lives in this world… So we have no excuses for not obeying the Lord! The ONLY reason the Lord said we wouldn’t obey His teachings is because we “DO NOT” love Him! (John 14:24) James gives us this exhortation… “DO NOT merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. “DO” what it says.” (James 1:22)

Jesus says…

I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." (John 12:50)

Note: Jesus is our example as the Apostle John said, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6) Jesus knew that the Father’s command leads us to “Eternal Life” (Heaven). And so Jesus carried out the plan of salvation for the souls of mankind exactly like He was told by God the Father. Jesus did not deviate from any of the Father’s commands.  In The book of Hebrews it says… “Then he (Jesus) said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will (God the Father will)." (Hebrews 10:9)

And so we must also do the same… Live and act like Jesus has commanded us to do and that is to “Love” God and to "Love" People…"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: (Watch This…Don’t Miss It!!) "'LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the SECOND is like it: 'LOVE your neighbor AS yourself.' (Matthew 22:36-39) In the book Of 1 John it says, “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)

Note: I just want to point out something that is very important… Some pastors and some Christian people believe that they “CAN NOT” loose their salvation… But according to “The Holy Scriptures” that teaching is false! If you are not living like the Lord commands and continue to live a sinful lifestyle, Heaven is NOT going to be your home! “and, once made perfect, he (Jesus Christ) became the source of eternal salvation (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) For “ALL” who OBEY him…” (Hebrews 5:9)

See my blog teaching on (“Can You Lose Your Salvation?) If it’s between pastors and people teaching that you can’t lose your salvation or what the word of “The Living GOD” says… I personally am going with what GOD says! I’m NOT a people pleaser, but a God pleaser! Loving God, Loving People! And submitting myself daily to God so that I might live a life here on earth that is pleasing to my Father in Heaven! “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)

The Apostle John warns all of us of this… “ANYONE who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that “NO” murderer has “Eternal Life” in Him.” (1 John 3:15)

Paul warns the Galatians Church… Remember friends, these are “SAVED” people! “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!!) I WARN you, as I did before, that those who live like this “WILL NOT” inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

To the “Corinthian Church” Paul gives them the same warnings…

“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.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Note: You can clearly see in “The Holy Scriptures” that if we as “Christ’s Church” do ANY of these things that the apostle Paul warned the Galatians and the Corinthians “NOT” to do and we ignore these warnings and do them anyway… Heaven won’t be our home. (See also Ephesians 5:5-6) Friends, we must stay in daily prayers and Bible studies… Seek God constantly and in this way of daily living is how we stay purified, sanctified, a spotless bride ready/prepared to meet our King in the clouds!  "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 13:26, Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 26:64, and Revelation 1:7-8) Amen and Maranatha!!

In conclusion, I just wanted to stop here for a moment and say this… As I meditated on this teaching the epidemic of “bullying” in this country came to mind. If we as Christ followers remember to always obey GOD, in that we should always; "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 19:19, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14, Ephesians 5:1-2, James 2:8) we would not give in to approving/cheering the bullies in their bad behavior.  As a people, parents, grandparents, etc, we should teach our children not to follow the crowds in the approval of the bullying and the taunting of others (Because this, my friends falls right into people pleasing!) The bullies always get fueled by the crowd’s reactions.  So if the crowd’s reaction is one that “DOES NOT” approve of his/her bad behavior … The Bully has no other choice but to stop. Eventually he will have to stop the bullying behavior all together because he will no longer be pleasing the crowd.  It will no longer be “COOL” to be a bully. We should all be “Anti-Bully” and love everyone like the Lord commands.

“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)

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND ALWAYS

YOUR FRIEND,

VICKY RIVERA

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

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


Jesus Says: "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?

Note: 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 what they are telling you...It's completely true and real. And the statement is definitely 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 this person does not love me at all...Because if they did? their actions would be completely different from what they are now doing.

So if we expect the people who claim to love us, to show it... 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)

Friend, if we claim to love Jesus and we call ourselves "Christians"(Followers Of Christ) then lets prove it by our actions! “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 1 John 5:3)


JESUS SAID: “IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES." (John 8:31, 12:47-50) AMEN! FRIENDS, OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST LEADS TO HEAVEN!




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

HAD ENOUGH YET?

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 ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA