Tuesday, June 5, 2012
DON'T LOSE YOUR CROWN!
DON'T LOSE YOUR CROWN!
Jesus says, "I AM coming SOON. HOLD on to what YOU have, SO that NO ONE will TAKE your CROWN."~(Revelation 3:11)~The Lord tells us, "Hold on to what you have, so that "NO ONE" will TAKE your CROWN".... The formula to, "How to get to the kingdom of GOD" Jesus has given it to us through His Holy Word (In the book of Matthew Chapters 5-7, Mark, Luke and John). BUT how are you going to know this formula... If you don't spend time with the Lord in prayers and Bible studies?? Friends, knowing what the Bible says is NOT enough... We MUST be doers of God's word! (James 1:22) And that my friends, Is how we keep our crowns on our heads!!
Jesus says,"IF you "LOVE" me, you "WILL" obey what I command." (John 14:15)
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
Monday, June 4, 2012
LOOK UP!
LOOK UP!
Just Like The LORD Delivered Israel From Egypt Through Moses... ONE Day There WILL Also Be A MASS Exodus Of Millions Of People From The Earth To The Promised Land (Heaven) That Jesus Promised For All Of Those Who Believe, Obey And Follow His Teachings! (Exodus 12:31-33, 51, Matthew; Chapters 5-7, John 14:1-3, Revelation 3:3)
The Bible says: "WHEN these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)~When we see the prophecies that the Lord spoke about in Matthew 24:3-44, Luke 21:7-36, taking place... It is then, when we should be..."LOOKING UP" because our redemption is drawing "NEAR".
"FOR the Lord himself WILL come down from heaven, with a LOUD command, with the voice of the archangel and with the TRUMPET call of GOD, and the DEAD in Christ WILL rise FIRST. After that, WE who ARE still ALIVE and are left WILL be "CAUGHT UP" together with them IN the CLOUDS to meet the LORD in the air. And SO we WILL be WITH the LORD "FOREVER."~(Thessalonians 4:16-17)~Amen!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
Just Like The LORD Delivered Israel From Egypt Through Moses... ONE Day There WILL Also Be A MASS Exodus Of Millions Of People From The Earth To The Promised Land (Heaven) That Jesus Promised For All Of Those Who Believe, Obey And Follow His Teachings! (Exodus 12:31-33, 51, Matthew; Chapters 5-7, John 14:1-3, Revelation 3:3)
The Bible says: "WHEN these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)~When we see the prophecies that the Lord spoke about in Matthew 24:3-44, Luke 21:7-36, taking place... It is then, when we should be..."LOOKING UP" because our redemption is drawing "NEAR".
"FOR the Lord himself WILL come down from heaven, with a LOUD command, with the voice of the archangel and with the TRUMPET call of GOD, and the DEAD in Christ WILL rise FIRST. After that, WE who ARE still ALIVE and are left WILL be "CAUGHT UP" together with them IN the CLOUDS to meet the LORD in the air. And SO we WILL be WITH the LORD "FOREVER."~(Thessalonians 4:16-17)~Amen!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
Thursday, April 26, 2012
REDEEMED & FORGIVEN!
"BLESSED are they whose transgressions are FORGIVEN, whose SINS are COVERED. BLESSED is the man whose SIN the LORD will NEVER count against him." (Romans 4:7-8)....
NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP!!!
~Things Are NOT Always Going To Workout The Way We Think They Should Or The Way We Want Them To Be! BUT If We Remain Steadfast, Trust, And Believe In "The LORD" It Will All Workout For Our GOOD In The End... "AND we know that in ALL things GOD works for the GOOD of those WHO love HIM, WHO have been called according to HIS purpose." (Romans 8:28)~Trust & Believe in GOD, My Friends...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
There is only one Savior that GOD has given to the world. Jesus Christ and ONLY He can save us from our sins. Only Jesus is the way to Heaven! To put our faith, our trust in anyone else will prove to be futile.
The Bible Says:
“Salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE, for there is NO other NAME under heaven given to men by which WE must be SAVED." (Acts 4:12)
If you're betting that you're going to Heaven because you think you have the hook up in Heaven through Mary (Jesus’ mother), Peter, Paul, Etc! Then my friends, you're going to be in for “A Rude Awakening” When Jesus Christ comes back for His church.
The Bible says concerning Mary:
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:26-31)
Note: Mary was chosen by GOD to carry in her womb the “Messiah” BUT she also needed a savior just like the rest of us! In Mary’s own words, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices (Watch this… Don’t Miss It!) “IN GOD MY SAVIOR...” (Luke 1:46-47) Mary calls her unborn son, her GOD and Savior! So Mary can’t get you into Heaven. Mary says she’s a servant of GOD herself… "I am the Lord's SERVANT," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38)
And to Joseph an angel said to him concerning the baby that his future wife was carrying… “She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) BECAUSE HE (Jesus) WILL save HIS people FROM their SINS." (Matthew 1:21, 24)
The prophet Isaiah said this about Mary… "The virgin" will be with child and WILL give BIRTH to a SON, and THEY will call HIM Immanuel" --WHICH means, "GOD WITH US." (Isaiah 7:14) ALL Scriptures point to ONE Savior and ONE Savior ALONE!
Note: Some have made Mary a co-redeemer along with Jesus Christ and this is a blasphemy against GOD… In the Scriptures Mary calls herself a servant of God, "I am the Lord's SERVANT," Mary answered.” (Luke 1:38) NOWHERE in the Bible does it says she is either! GOD says, "I AM the LORD; that is MY name! (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) I WILL NOT give my glory to ANOTHER…” (Isaiah 42:8) GOD would NEVER give His glory to ANYONE else but HIMSELF! There’s only ONE SAVIOR… Jesus Christ!
Concerning Peter and The Apostles the Bible says this…
“He (Jesus) called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1-3) As Jesus disciples they were given a mandate from Jesus himself to… As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8)
Note: Peter was one of the 12 men that were handpicked by our Lord to be one of HIS disciples. Peter declared without hesitation that Jesus is the Savior of the world and this is how he said it… “Simon Peter answered, "YOU are THE Christ, the Son of the living God." In the book of John Peter declares it boldly again… “Simon Peter answered him (Jesus), "Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU have the WORDS of ETERNAL life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (Matthew 16:16, John 6:68-69) Peter was also ordained by Jesus to start HIS church… Who’s church? Answer: Christ church and Christ church alone… “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL build MY church…” (Matthew 16:18) Peter was also an instrument that the Lord chose to bring HIS Message to the world.
This what the Bible says concerning Paul…
“Meanwhile, Saul(Paul) was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind…” (Acts 9:1-9)
Note: It took Jesus appearing to Paul(Saul) for Paul to convert and change his evil ways. Paul was a murderer, a persecutor of the church, a lost soul that needed Jesus to save him also! This is Paul’s admission to Timothy… “Here IS a TRUSTWORTHY saying that deserves FULL acceptance: Christ Jesus came INTO the world to SAVE sinners (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!)--OF whom I am THE WORST.” (1Timothy 1:15) Paul in all his Epistles is ALWAYS pointing ALL people to Christ and Christ ALONE… “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: CHRIST JESUS came INTO the world to SAVE SINNERS…” (1Timothy 1:15, Acts 9:1-9, Acts 22:20)
Jesus tells Ananias that Paul was his chosen instrument to spread the message of salvation… “But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) This man (Paul) is MY CHOSEN instrument TO carry MY NAME (Jesus Christ) before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15, 1 Corinthians 15:8-9)
To "The Corinthian Church" Paul told them this… “Is Christ divided? (Watch This... Don't Miss It!) WAS Paul CRUCIFIED for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” (1Corinthians 1:13) Notice how Paul is always pointing everyone to Christ Jesus!
Note: Mary the mother of Jesus, Peter, Paul and all the disciples were blessed and chosen by GOD to bring all of us the good news that, mankind has redemption through ONE Messiah (Jesus Christ)! John the Baptist testified that there is only “ONE LAMB OF GOD,” that takes away the sins of the World”! (John 1:29) If you have placed your trust in anyone else other than in Jesus Christ then according to “The Bible” Heaven won’t be your home! “SALVATION is found in NO ONE else, for there is NO other NAME (Jesus Christ) under heaven given to men BY which WE MUST BE SAVED." (Acts 4:12)
Jesus says, if we don’t believe in who HE says He Is! Then all our sins still remain on us and we’re still lost… “I told you that you would DIE in your SINS; (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) “IF you DO NOT believe that I am [The ONE I claim to be], You WILL indeed DIE in YOUR sins." (Luke 19:10, John 8:24)
Jesus and Jesus ALONE can save us! "I AM the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) NO ONE comes TO the Father EXPECT through ME!” (John 14:6) – ONLY One WAY to HEAVEN and that’s through Jesus Christ and HIM ALONE!!
“WHO CAN YOU TRUST?” Is the title of this teaching! The only person WE can fully trust to save us, help us in our time of need, to be with here on Earth and then someone day to take us Heaven, is Jesus Christ and Him alone. “Remember Jesus is NOT a man that HE Should LIE”! (Number 23:19) And this is what Jesus says about those that choose to follow, believe and obey HIM… “I GIVE them ETERNAL LIFE, and they SHALL NEVER PERISH; NO ONE can SNATCH them out of my HAND. My Father, WHO has given them to ME, IS greater than ALL; NO ONE can snatch THEM out of my Father's HAND.” (John 10:28-29) NO ONE can ever snatch us out of Jesus or the Father hand once we give our lives completely to Him. Who can make such a promise and really keep it... Jesus WILL never let you GO! In John 10:28-29 GOD Guarantees’ US this amazing promise and HE will never break ANY of His Promises, NEVER!!
Here is your chance to receive forgiveness for all your sins and to receive eternal life. Jesus alone can offer you “Eternal life” NO other figure in the HISTORY OF MANKIND can do this… None of them can help you or save you! Everyone in the Bible (Men & Women) are chosen instruments of GOD to bring us the good news of the gospel… Which is Christ and Christ ONLY! You can completely trust Jesus to do exactly what HE says He can do for you … “God is NOT a man, that HE should lie, NOR a son of man, that HE should change HIS mind. Does HE speak and THEN not ACT? Does HE promise and NOT fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) I pray that you don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Please accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation today…
“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time You give me here on earth”. Amen! (For, "EVERYONE who calls on the NAME of the LORD will BE saved.”!!) Romans 10:13
Jesus says, “…WHOEVER comes to me I will NEVER drive AWAY.” (John 6:37)
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
There is only one Savior that GOD has given to the world. Jesus Christ and ONLY He can save us from our sins. Only Jesus is the way to Heaven! To put our faith, our trust in anyone else will prove to be futile.
The Bible Says:
“Salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE, for there is NO other NAME under heaven given to men by which WE must be SAVED." (Acts 4:12)
If you're betting that you're going to Heaven because you think you have the hook up in Heaven through Mary (Jesus’ mother), Peter, Paul, Etc! Then my friends, you're going to be in for “A Rude Awakening” When Jesus Christ comes back for His church.
The Bible says concerning Mary:
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:26-31)
Note: Mary was chosen by GOD to carry in her womb the “Messiah” BUT she also needed a savior just like the rest of us! In Mary’s own words, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices (Watch this… Don’t Miss It!) “IN GOD MY SAVIOR...” (Luke 1:46-47) Mary calls her unborn son, her GOD and Savior! So Mary can’t get you into Heaven. Mary says she’s a servant of GOD herself… "I am the Lord's SERVANT," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38)
And to Joseph an angel said to him concerning the baby that his future wife was carrying… “She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) BECAUSE HE (Jesus) WILL save HIS people FROM their SINS." (Matthew 1:21, 24)
The prophet Isaiah said this about Mary… "The virgin" will be with child and WILL give BIRTH to a SON, and THEY will call HIM Immanuel" --WHICH means, "GOD WITH US." (Isaiah 7:14) ALL Scriptures point to ONE Savior and ONE Savior ALONE!
Note: Some have made Mary a co-redeemer along with Jesus Christ and this is a blasphemy against GOD… In the Scriptures Mary calls herself a servant of God, "I am the Lord's SERVANT," Mary answered.” (Luke 1:38) NOWHERE in the Bible does it says she is either! GOD says, "I AM the LORD; that is MY name! (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) I WILL NOT give my glory to ANOTHER…” (Isaiah 42:8) GOD would NEVER give His glory to ANYONE else but HIMSELF! There’s only ONE SAVIOR… Jesus Christ!
Concerning Peter and The Apostles the Bible says this…
“He (Jesus) called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1-3) As Jesus disciples they were given a mandate from Jesus himself to… As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8)
Note: Peter was one of the 12 men that were handpicked by our Lord to be one of HIS disciples. Peter declared without hesitation that Jesus is the Savior of the world and this is how he said it… “Simon Peter answered, "YOU are THE Christ, the Son of the living God." In the book of John Peter declares it boldly again… “Simon Peter answered him (Jesus), "Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU have the WORDS of ETERNAL life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (Matthew 16:16, John 6:68-69) Peter was also ordained by Jesus to start HIS church… Who’s church? Answer: Christ church and Christ church alone… “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL build MY church…” (Matthew 16:18) Peter was also an instrument that the Lord chose to bring HIS Message to the world.
This what the Bible says concerning Paul…
“Meanwhile, Saul(Paul) was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind…” (Acts 9:1-9)
Note: It took Jesus appearing to Paul(Saul) for Paul to convert and change his evil ways. Paul was a murderer, a persecutor of the church, a lost soul that needed Jesus to save him also! This is Paul’s admission to Timothy… “Here IS a TRUSTWORTHY saying that deserves FULL acceptance: Christ Jesus came INTO the world to SAVE sinners (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!)--OF whom I am THE WORST.” (1Timothy 1:15) Paul in all his Epistles is ALWAYS pointing ALL people to Christ and Christ ALONE… “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: CHRIST JESUS came INTO the world to SAVE SINNERS…” (1Timothy 1:15, Acts 9:1-9, Acts 22:20)
Jesus tells Ananias that Paul was his chosen instrument to spread the message of salvation… “But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) This man (Paul) is MY CHOSEN instrument TO carry MY NAME (Jesus Christ) before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15, 1 Corinthians 15:8-9)
To "The Corinthian Church" Paul told them this… “Is Christ divided? (Watch This... Don't Miss It!) WAS Paul CRUCIFIED for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” (1Corinthians 1:13) Notice how Paul is always pointing everyone to Christ Jesus!
Note: Mary the mother of Jesus, Peter, Paul and all the disciples were blessed and chosen by GOD to bring all of us the good news that, mankind has redemption through ONE Messiah (Jesus Christ)! John the Baptist testified that there is only “ONE LAMB OF GOD,” that takes away the sins of the World”! (John 1:29) If you have placed your trust in anyone else other than in Jesus Christ then according to “The Bible” Heaven won’t be your home! “SALVATION is found in NO ONE else, for there is NO other NAME (Jesus Christ) under heaven given to men BY which WE MUST BE SAVED." (Acts 4:12)
Jesus says, if we don’t believe in who HE says He Is! Then all our sins still remain on us and we’re still lost… “I told you that you would DIE in your SINS; (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) “IF you DO NOT believe that I am [The ONE I claim to be], You WILL indeed DIE in YOUR sins." (Luke 19:10, John 8:24)
Jesus and Jesus ALONE can save us! "I AM the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. (Watch This… Don’t Miss It!) NO ONE comes TO the Father EXPECT through ME!” (John 14:6) – ONLY One WAY to HEAVEN and that’s through Jesus Christ and HIM ALONE!!
“WHO CAN YOU TRUST?” Is the title of this teaching! The only person WE can fully trust to save us, help us in our time of need, to be with here on Earth and then someone day to take us Heaven, is Jesus Christ and Him alone. “Remember Jesus is NOT a man that HE Should LIE”! (Number 23:19) And this is what Jesus says about those that choose to follow, believe and obey HIM… “I GIVE them ETERNAL LIFE, and they SHALL NEVER PERISH; NO ONE can SNATCH them out of my HAND. My Father, WHO has given them to ME, IS greater than ALL; NO ONE can snatch THEM out of my Father's HAND.” (John 10:28-29) NO ONE can ever snatch us out of Jesus or the Father hand once we give our lives completely to Him. Who can make such a promise and really keep it... Jesus WILL never let you GO! In John 10:28-29 GOD Guarantees’ US this amazing promise and HE will never break ANY of His Promises, NEVER!!
Here is your chance to receive forgiveness for all your sins and to receive eternal life. Jesus alone can offer you “Eternal life” NO other figure in the HISTORY OF MANKIND can do this… None of them can help you or save you! Everyone in the Bible (Men & Women) are chosen instruments of GOD to bring us the good news of the gospel… Which is Christ and Christ ONLY! You can completely trust Jesus to do exactly what HE says He can do for you … “God is NOT a man, that HE should lie, NOR a son of man, that HE should change HIS mind. Does HE speak and THEN not ACT? Does HE promise and NOT fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) I pray that you don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Please accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation today…
“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for sacrificing Your life to save me, then rising to life again that I might live forever in Heaven with You. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, for whatever time You give me here on earth”. Amen! (For, "EVERYONE who calls on the NAME of the LORD will BE saved.”!!) Romans 10:13
Jesus says, “…WHOEVER comes to me I will NEVER drive AWAY.” (John 6:37)
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
Monday, February 27, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
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
(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
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