"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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME?

 IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME?

We have all had people who gave us good advice in our life, right? Whether it was about a relationship we should have not gotten into or ran away from, jobs we should have taken or not taken, financial advice, etc. And for some reason we don’t always follow the good advice that we are given. We’ll say to ourselves that sounds good, BUT I’m going to do it my way, and when our way doesn’t work, that’s when we think back to that person who gave us the good advice and say; "I should have listened to what they told me to do!"

I’m sure there has been many times when we have said… “Wow, I really blew it! Just because we may have missed some opportunities in life and not done the right thing, the first time around it does not mean that other ones won’t come our way again… BUT hopefully we have learned from our past mistakes, and make better choices when the next opportunity presents itself again.

If we follow God’s guidance for our lives…Things WILL begin to start working out for us and we will be much happier in life, guaranteed! BUT we will have to trust God completely and do what HE says FIRST!  In this teaching, I would like to show what the Bible says, about a paralyzed man and the woman caught in the act of adultery and how the Lord Jesus gave them a second chance in life, a chance to turn their lives around for the better…

“The Healing at the Pool”

“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…” (Watch This Don’t Miss It! This Is When “The Fork In The Road” Comes To This Man…)  Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, YOU are well AGAIN. STOP sinning OR something WORSE may happen to YOU." (John 5:2-9, 14)

Note: By the way Jesus spoke to this man who had been completely cured of his condition, we can safely assume that his condition was brought upon him because of some past sin…. “Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." (John 5:14)- Just to be clear…This is NOT always the case with all sick people… But it was the case for this paralyzed man that Jesus healed at the pool. I can only hope that this man listened to Jesus exhortation about leaving his life of sin… “Stop sinning OR something worse may happen to you." (John 5:14)

There are times in our life that we escape some kind of a bad accident, death, a medical report that we thought would bring us bad news, etc, and we think, we just got lucky. In these times we completely miss that God was compassionate towards us and that HE perhaps spared us from that (accident, death, bad medical report, etc.) in the hopes that we would see His hand in that situation and turn to HIM, seek HIM with all our hearts. But if we fail to see God’s love and mercy for us, and continue to sin then life is not going to get better for us, as a matter of fact… The Bible says, “something worse may happen to you." (John 5:14)

The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) Sin only brings death and devastation into our lives and homes. The misery that sin brings into our lives and the people that we hurt along the way are NOT worth all the trouble and the pain that it brings with it! The Bible says, “Your own conduct and actions have brought this upon you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!” (Jeremiah 4:18) The outcome will always end up bad when we don’t turn from our sins and continue on our sinful lifestyle. Nothing good comes from doing/living wrong… Nothing! As a matter of fact… “Disaster follows disaster…” (Jeremiah 4:20)

The other person I wanted to talk about in this teaching is a woman many wanted stoned for her sin…

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group. and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.” (John 8:3-5) Many wanted her to die for her sin but Jesus wouldn’t condemned her instead Jesus forgave her and gave her this exhortation …"GO NOW and LEAVE your life of SIN." (John 8:11) We are not supposed to keep on sinning once we are told about our wrongdoings and if you think … 'I am innocent; HE (GOD) is not angry with me.' But (GOD says…) I will pass judgment on you because you say, 'I have not sinned.” (Jeremiah 2:35) Only Jesus can set us free from our sins! Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, EVERYONE who SINS is a SLAVE to SIN.”(John 8:34)

Note: I’ve said this before and I’ll continue to say it… If you’re still struggling with sin, then come to the ONLY one that can set you FREE and YOU will be free INDEED… “SO if the SON sets you free, you will be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36) We must confess our sins to GOD and turn from all our wrongdoings! And we will receive mercy from HIM… “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) but WHOEVER confesses and renounces them FINDS mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

Some may be wondering… "Is It Too Late For Me?" Friend, as long as you are here on earth… It’s NEVER too late to turn from your sins and come to the Savior of the world! This is a GOD that is ready to forgive all of your wrongdoings, if you ask Him to and turn to HIM with all your heart… "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Jeremiah 31:34/ Hebrews 8:12)

Note: People may remember all your wrongdoings BUT when you give your life to Jesus Christ and ask HIM for forgiveness of all your sins… HE will Forgive them and will NEVER remember your sins again, EVER! "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their SINS NO MORE." (Jeremiah 31:34) When GOD says all your sins are forgiven… They ARE truly and completely FORGIVEN! How awesome is that!!! The Bible says, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." (Isaiah 44:22) Amen!

If you’re tired of living in that roller-coaster lifestyle that you’ve been living in and are tired of hiding that emptiness that you’ve been feeling inside. And you’re so tired of filling it with things that you thought will help you get by and instead are destroying you!

My friend, if you’re ready for a change, then today is the day… You still have time to turn your life around and come to the GOD who is anxiously waiting for you to give your life completely to Him! JESUS is an expert in healing lives, restoring marriages, HE can break any addictions; HE can restore health and finances, etc. Jesus can help you with whatever help you need! The Bible says, “For NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with GOD." (Luke 1:37) Amen!

If you give your life to Jesus Christ today I guarantee it will be a decision that you will NEVER regret making… Rejecting the Savior will be the biggest mistake anyone can ever make in this life! Please do not ignore HIS calling. If you’re still thinking… “IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME?” The answer is NO, you’re not too Late! Jesus is still waiting for you… The choice is yours my friend!

Jesus Says: "COME to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL give you REST.” (Matthew 11:28)

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