WHO'S SEDUCING YOU? (PART II)

WHO’S SEDUCING YOU?
(PART II)


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

The Bible says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


We can learn a lot from the Corinthian church because once Paul told them to correct the wrong in the church… They did it right away!  Remember what Paul told them, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)

And on Paul’s second letter it tells us that they took immediate action against this… “The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, “To Reaffirm Your Love For Him.” (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!)The reason I wrote you was to see “If You Would Stand The Test And Be Obedient In Everything.” “If You Forgive Anyone, I Also Forgive Him.” And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake…” (2 Corinthians 2:6-10)

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

WHERE ARE YOU STORING YOUR TREASURE?

WHERE ARE YOU STORING YOUR TREASURE?


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

Solomon is described as the wisest man in the entire Bible. If you read the book of Ecclesiastes, you will see that he had all that his heart desired and he tried all kinds of things under the sun (Its what the Bible says). What he found out was this… “Meaningless! Meaningless! Says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) He’s trying to teach us something here… That we should not chase after those things that the rest of the world lust and runs after. King Salomon is telling us, "I’ve been there, done that, graduated and got a trophy."  He had it all and in the end he came up with this conclusion… “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including "EVERY" hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)  Earthly things can "NEVER" statisfied or fill your soul like GOD can.... It will always end up being; “Utterly meaningless!

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

Setting our hearts on other things than carrying out the Lord’s commands, will only lead to pain and disappointments. We watched in horror as all those people’s houses burned in the California fires. We have seen hurricanes, tornados, and tsunamis do the same things. Destroying all the things that we all work so hard to get. Others have never had any of these natural disasters come upon them, but they have had someone take away from them the things they have worked so hard to get. Sometimes this comes in the form of a repossession of your belongings; other times, there could be, a loss of a job, or even a burglary. All these circumstances are very painful. What we see here on earth is only temporary. The material things wouldn’t last. What you do for the Lord will. The Lord is making all things new (Revelation 21:5) I’m looking forward to the "NEW THINGS" God has store up for those that love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

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

We are the Lord’s servants, we MUST carry out His commands and WE MUST also be "WATCHFULLY" awaiting for His soon return to the Earth. Let me show you what Paul tells Titus:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “ “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  (Watch This...Don't Miss It!) while we "WAIT" for the blessed hope- the "GLORIOUS APPEARING" of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. "(Titus 2:11-14)

The book of John says:

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

Note: The Apostle Paul has been a great inspiration in my walk with the Lord. He loved the Lord and he didn’t think he wasn’t blessed just because things didn't go his way or that he had to spend most of his time in jail. Paul knew that his earthly stay was a temporary one... His mind was set on heavenly things! (Colosians 3:2)  Paul was committed, on carrying out the task that the Lord had given him and he was going to carry those out no matter what. Let me show you what he tells the Philippians Church:

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

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

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

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

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

Note: This should be "THE GOAL" of every Christian to "SEEK" the Lord, to "OBEY" His commands and to seek "THE GOOD OF OTHERS". This is how we store up treasures in Heaven. Is your heart set on getting earthly things that won’t last or is your heart set in being a servant of the living God? Knowing as you live the rest of your life dedicated to Jesus, you’ll be storing treasures in Heaven that will last forever! Amen

In the book of Hebrews says:

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


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