You might have seen Jeff Rivera at the Coconut Festival, Red Eye Surf Contest or the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair at the CCK booth. He is asking you, “Do you know the Lord?” There is an old saying, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
When you talk with Jeff, you can see the aloha in his eyes. His love for the lost is evident in every word he shares. We asked Jeff if he would share his story.
The following is his reply:
The question was asked of me, “Why do you evangelize and why aren’t you afraid to step out and talk to people?”
I believe in God and His only begotten son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
I also believe in His word, the Bible.
The Lord has changed me through the power of His Holy Spirit and He has revealed Himself to me in so many ways. I’ve seen many miracles, amazing miracles! I cannot say the Lord is not real. I would be a liar if I said that—and I’m not one.
I would like to take the credit for who I’ve become, but I can’t—for it is a gift from God. Read Ezekiel 36:26, 1 Corinthians 12:3-10. All I did was step out in faith and He did the rest. Heb 11:1-9
The Bible says all things come from God, not from ourselves. The Bible also says we are dead in our sins “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. I want to tell people that we need to accept the free gift of forgiveness from that sin through Jesus and what He did on the cross.
How can people know if no one tells them? We, who have the truth, need to preach the Gospel in LOVE.
When I was younger I walked with the Lord, but when I got older I ran from the Lord—living a life of sin.
Seven years ago the Lord got my attention and pulled me out of my sinful ways.
As I called the Lord back into my heart, I asked to do His will and I clearly heard Him say to me, “Preach to the lost.”
This is what His word says to us all—reach out to the lost. Not easy, but we need to pray for strength to do so. The Word says to ask and it will be given, seek and you will find. The Word says it Will be given, not it Might be given. Pray in Faith.
The Lord says he who serves will have rewards. How great is His love!
I feel we don’t have much time left before the Lord comes for His church. The signs are evident of that. If you are grounded in the Word, you can see clearly, He is coming soon. I get very excited. It makes me preach all the more about our Lord Jesus.
As believers we need to do all we can NOW, for the time getting really close. 1Corinthians 15:50-54, 1Thess 4:13-17
When we get to heaven we will wish we had done more for the Lord’s Kingdom. Even with what I do now, I’ll wish I had done more than I have done— but what I do, I give all the glory to the Lord, “for He has given me the strength to do all things.” Philip 2:13
I pray for All believers that you will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Ask and He says it will be given, Amen Eph 4:11-12
With Love, Jeff Rivera
