Gabe Rivera

21st Century Leper

By Gabe Rivera on November 15, 2022 in Uncategorized

“21st-Century Leper”: a potent discussion of a significant addiction in modern culture. “21st-Century Leper” is the creation of published author Gabriel Rivera, who was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny, Iowa; and graduated from Virginia Baptist College, Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was a pastor, a missionary, and a Christian educator for thirty-three years. Rivera shares, “Someone reading this may imagine that writing a book is a glorious event. For me, it’s like having a baby (complete with restless nights, soul searching, morning sickness, and birth pangs). I agonize over every word I write, often reliving the pain. The difference, of course, is that once I have given birth to my book, this baby gets no free passes. If my book is an ugly baby, there will be those who will bluntly tell me that without trying to spare my feelings. “My writing is occasionally bombastic. (There, I admit it). However, the truth is the truth whether we shout it or whisper it, or whether we sing it, speak it, or merely live it. A fine meal may include several courses. Sample them all before critiquing the entire meal or closing down the restaurant. I ask you to approach my book on the same basis. “21st-Century Leper will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows. (At least that’s the way I feel every time I read my own books.) However, if you stop and isolate one slice at a time, you may run the risk of missing the big picture. I suggest that you read the entire book in as few sittings as possible. But for the sake of those who may read in very short bursts separated by longer periods of nonreading (as daily life may require), I will lay bare my heart here and now on the subject of why I wrote this book in the first place. Here’s the big picture, or the entire dining experience, if you happen to prefer that metaphor.” Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Gabriel Rivera’s new book will challenge the preconceived misconceptions that are regularly attached to the stigma associated with sexual addiction. Rivera shares in hopes of raising awareness and understanding of a challenging and complex social issue. Consumers can purchase “21st-Century Leper” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about “21st-Century Leper,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

Get Up!

By Gabe Rivera on January 25, 2021 in Uncategorized

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

I am very thankful that my God never, never turns His back upon any man. Satan is not the only enemy the child of God faces. Often well meaning, but misguided individuals, example Saul, are allowed by God to be instruments of testing and chafing. Get up and walk again!

“Though God permits the hand of violence sometimes to assail our mind, and afflictions to press down our body, we constantly emerge; and every time we pass through the furnace, we come out brighter and more refined.” Adam Clarke

We All Need Help

By Gabe Rivera on January 18, 2021 in Uncategorized

Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 12 states a powerful truth.

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

This is a lesson from the past that should not be ignored in the present or in the future. We all need someone. Whatever may be our struggle: habitual sexual sin; anger; pride; lying; gossip; spirit of condemnation we need someone to help us. I am thankful for the men that God has put in my life. They have counseled me, rebuked me; corrected me; encouraged me and given me the strength that I need to obey the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness! Men and women need to know that there are a people who will pick them up, hold them up and build them up for the glory of God. The need is great!
Remember Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.

Forgiveness

By Gabe Rivera on January 11, 2021 in Uncategorized

A friend shared this with me. The message is priceless! Have a great day!
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE. THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND, “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.”
THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH. THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, “AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?”
THE FRIEND REPLIED, “WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US, WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.”
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.
Remember Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”

You are not alone!

By Gabe Rivera on January 6, 2021 in Uncategorized

Welcome to Jude 22 Ministry! Here you will find a listening ear, a helping hand and a compassionate heart. Please feel free to contact me anytime of the day or night. You are not alone!

James 5:16 is such a great encouragement,
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

You, do not have to walk alone. Oh, how we need to remember this. Faults here may simply be finding yourself in a weakened state spiritually, physically, emotionally, or mentally and in need of someone to pray. What do you do when you find yourself in such need? May I encourage you, please swallow your pride and call upon those in the body of Christ to pray for you and with you. I am thankful that the Lord has taught me to call upon Brothers in Christ to hold me up. I, and you, do not need to stand alone.