Divine Protection. Do You Have It?

 Divine Protection. Do You Have It?

When I Read In The Bible, That, There Are Three Men, That Would Be Spared From The Wrath Of God, If They Live In A Nation/A City Who Has SINNED AGAINST Him ... You Better Believe, I Am Going To Do A Study On These Three Men And See How They Lived, How They Worshiped The Lord, How They Treated Their Fellow Man ... So, That, I Can Apply Their Way Of Righteous Living To My Life As Well. And, If The Wrath Of God Happens To Fall In The Place Where I Live, I Can Also Have This Super Natural Protection Over My Life As Well.

Now, Let's Read About These Three Outstanding Men, That, God Has Set His Super Natural Protection Over ...

The Book Of Ezekiel Says: "The Word Of The Lord Came To Me: “Son Of Man, If A Country Sins Against Me By Being Unfaithful And I Stretch Out My Hand Against It To Cut Off Its Food Supply And Send Famine Upon It And Kill Its People And Their Animals, (Watch This... Don't Miss It!-->) EVEN IF THESE THREE MEN —NOAH, DANIEL AND JOB —WERE IN IT, THEY COULD SAVE ONLY THEMSELVES BY THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD."~(See Ezekiel 14:12‭-‬14)~Amen! 

NOTE: As God Told Ezekiel, That He Would Spare Noah, Daniel And Job (If These Three Men Were In A City/A Town That God Decreed A Judgment For It...) So, Will God Also Spare Us From Devastating Calamities... If, And ONLY If, We Are Living Righteously.~(See Proverbs 2:8, Proverbs 11:8, Proverbs 12:21)~Amen!

God Will ALWAYS Be Faithful To His Word. What He Says, He Really Means.~(See Matthew 24:35, Numbers 23:19,  Hebrews 6:18)~Amen!

Let's Examine Noah's Life ... "Noah Was A Righteous (Morally Right Or Justifiable; Virtuous) Man, Blameless (Innocent Of Wrongdoing) Among The People Of His Time, (Watch This... Don't Miss It!-->) AND HE WALKED FAITHFULLY WITH GOD."~(See Genesis 6:9)~Amen

Now, Let's See The Testimony God Gives About Job ... "Then The Lord Said To Satan, “Have You Considered My Servant Job? There Is NO ONE ON EARTH Like Him; (Watch This ... Don't Miss It!-->) HE IS BLAMELESS AND UPRIGHT, A MAN WHO FEARS GOD AND SHUNS EVIL.”~(See Job 1:8)~Amen

And Lastly, Let's Continue To Daniel And See What The Bible Tells Us About Him, And How He Worshiped The Lord. The Bible Says, That, Daniel; "... Three Times A Day He Got Down On His Knees And Prayed, Giving Thanks To His God, ..."~(See Daniel 6:10)~Amen!

Note: Daniel Didn't Just Pray Or Worship The Lord On Sundays...He Prayed And Worshiped The Lord Everyday ... Three Times A Day. What A Great Commitment And Devotion Daniel Had In His Prayer Life, Something We Can All Learn To Do As Well.

Daniel's Work Ethics, How Strong Was It? Daniel Was An Expecional And Trustworthy Employee As Well... In Government Affairs, There Was NO CORRUPTION In Him, Because He Was Trustworthy And Neither Corrupt Nor Negligent (Daniel Did Not Cut Any Corners At His Job), He Was An Honest And An Outstanding Employee). See Daniel 6:4

Let's Look At Daniel Ch.6:

I Want To Give You One More Account On How Daniel's Righteous (Lifestyle) Had Saved Him From Getting Eaten By The Lions. Daniel (Himself) Tells The King, That, The Lions Didn't Hurt Him, Because He Was Found Innocent Of Any Wrong Doings In The Sight Of God. This Is What Daniel Says; "My God Sent His Angel, And He Shut The Mouths Of The Lions. They Have Not Hurt Me, (Watch This ... Don't Miss It!-->) BECAUSE I WAS FOUND INNOCENT IN HIS (GOD'S) SIGHT. NOR HAVE I EVER DONE ANY WRONG BEFORE YOU, Your Majesty.”~(See Daniel 6:22)~Amen!

Note: What Does Noah, Daniel And Job Have In Common? Answer: They All Lived Blameless And Righteous Lives, They Were Good And Upright In The Their Relationships With People, Doing Right By Them, And, They Were Also Very Loyal And Devoted Followers Of The Word Of God. Living And Doing What Was Right In God's Sight.

In Conclusion: Looking At Everything That Is Happening In Our World Today, We Can Clearly See, That, We Are (Definitely) Living In The Endtimes. The Birth Pains Will Continue To Increase Worldwide (See Matthew Ch. 24). Everything That The Bible Has Said (About The Endtimes) Will Happen Exactly How God Said, It Will (Matthew 24:35). So, If We Want To Have God's Divine Protection Over Our Lives, (While We Are Waiting For Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ Return (See Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 3:10-14), In These Troubling Times... Let Us Imitate (Daily) The Way These Three Outstanding Men Lived Their Lives. Our God Is No Respecter Of Persons. If He Will Do It For Them, He Will Do It For Us Too.~(Acts 10:34)~Amen! Obey The Lord, Live According To His Commands (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Luke 6:46). Live Right. Do Right (See Matthew 7:12). God Is NOT A Man, That He Should Lie, ..." (Numbers 23:19). God Will Keep You Safe From Calamities, If You Are Living Righteously. This Is What The Word Of The Lord Says, "The Righteous Person Is RESCUED From TROUBLE, ..."~(Proverbs 11:8, Ezekiel 14:12-14)~Amen! 

God Bless You All,

Your Sister In Christ,
Vicky Rivera

"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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

LET US RETURN TO THE LORD!

LET US RETURN TO THE LORD!

“HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD… “The LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "THERE IS NO FAITHFULNESS, NO LOVE, NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD IN THE LAND. There is ONLY cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.” (Hosea 4:1-3)

Our nation has fallen so far away from the godly morals it was founded on … From the word of God. When we see the news, our society, our schools, our cities, our jobs, etc.---We can clearly see that good morals, kindness, brotherly love, loyalty, and respect for others … Are rarely seen. Without God our society (Our lives) will continue to deteriorate … Everyone lives their lives by their own standards and not God’s. This kind of behavior will only bring devastating judgments upon ourselves and our nation.

Have you ever heard it said: “Common sense is completely lost these days?” Did you know that sin completely dumbs out a person, a society and a nation of making good choices? God said that it does… “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as fools walk along the road, THEY LACK SENSE AND SHOW EVERYONE HOW STUPID THEY ARE.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2-3)

Note: As the saying goes, “The BIBLE (God’s word) may hurt you with the truth but it will NEVER comfort you with a LIE.” Why, would you want a lie anyway? It is THE TRUTH of the word of GOD that sets the captives free. (John 8:32, 34, 36)

A sinful lifestyle makes a person stumble in ALL their ways…It completely robs them of knowledge, of a good common sense…And because of their open rebellion against God—they will also be completely incapable of making wise choices (Decisions) in their lives because of their sin. The Lord says that SIN: “…Takes away the understanding of my people.” (Hosea 4:10)

Note: There’s nothing great or attractive in living a sinful life. Sin dumbs people out… Sin brings NOTHING but judgments and destruction to those who partake in them… The LORD says: “WOE to them, because they have strayed from me! DESTRUCTION to them, because they have REBELLED against me!” (Hosea 7:13)

A sinful lifestyle will also keep God’s best away from us too--ALWAYS! The Lord says: “YOUR WRONGDOINGS have kept these away; YOUR SINS have deprived you of good.” (Jeremiah 5:25)

Note: A sinful lifestyle is NOT worth ALL the TROUBLE and the MISERY that it brings to ones life... “Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize HOW EVIL AND BITTER it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.” (Jeremiah 2:19)

The Lord wants to bless and do good for His people (Jeremiah 29:11) … BUT how can He, if we continue to rebel against Him?  “…They DO NOT realize that I remember ALL their evil deeds. Their sins ENGULF them; they are always before me.” (Hosea 7:2)

 

Friend, if you have been living in sin and are tired of riding that destructive roller coaster in your life …Our loving Savior allows us a way out. (John 8:3-11, Psalm 103:2-4, Jeremiah 3:22, Isaiah 1:18, 44:22) There’s still time to repent and turn from all of your sins. Return to the Lord, admit your guilt and confess your sins to Jesus and He will forgive you of ALL of your sins and purify you from ALL unrighteousness…Jesus loves you so much and He’s reaching out to you now...Because He does not want to lose you.  (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15: 4-7, 19:10)

The Bible says:  “If we confess our sins, he (Jesus Christ) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, 2 Peter 3:9) Amen!  

“LET US RETURN TO THE LORD… Because sin does not only destroy our lives, but it also destroys our planet … “There is ONLY cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. (Watch This…Don’t Miss It! à) Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away (Are Dying).” (Hosea 4:1-3)

Note: The mass die outs of animals in our planet today…  Devastating natural disasters are ALL a result of the sins of mankind. Most people do not know or even realize that this is why it is happening. The word of God gave us the warning that this would happen, if we turned our backs on Him and willfully rebel against Him.  Sin is destructive to everyone and to everything around us.  Question: Is sin worth all of this death, disasters, pain and misery that it brings when we sin against our God and break His commands? Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Friends, NOTHING good comes from living a sinful lifestyle, NOTHING!

Friend, do you also know that if you didn’t give your heart and life to Jesus and you die with your sins, Heaven WILL NOT be your eternal home?

Jesus said: “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins." (John 8:24)

Note: In the book of Matthew Jesus said this: “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”(Matthew 13:40-42)

Sin will cost you more than you know…More than you are willing to pay for them--let them GO, they are NOT worth it! (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:1-8, Colossians 3:1-10, 2 Titus 2:19)  Repent and turn from ALL your sins…Because they will eventually lead you (someday) to a place that you DO NOT want to be in for all eternity! (Hebrews 10:26, 30-31, Revelation 21:8, 27)

If sin has you captive come to the ONLY ONE (Jesus Christ) that can set you free… And you will be “FREE INDEED”, my friend. (John 8:36) DO NOT wait…Tomorrow might be too late.

The Bible says: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; “ALL WHO FOLLOW HIS PRECEPTS HAVE GOOD UNDERSTANDING.” To him belongs eternal praise.” (Psalm 111:10) Amen

The Lord says: “My people are “DESTROYED” from lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

Friends, “LET US RETURN TO THE LORD, WHILE WE STILL CAN” … “SEEK the LORD while he may be found; CALL on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS

YOUR FRIEND,

VICKY RIVERA  

EXCUSES, EXCUSES!

                                            EXCUSES, EXCUSES!


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


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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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



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


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

 

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