The Furnace of Suffering

Are you suffering?  Do you find yourself in a situation that is causing you great pain, either physical or emotional, or both?  Are you afraid of what tomorrow may bring?

No one likes to suffer.  We were not created to suffer.  We were created to enjoy God in all of His fullness and to live in joy and peace.  But sin entered the world and thwarted our original destiny. Hence, our suffering.

But suffering is not the end of the story.  Jesus Christ came to deliver us from suffering. The Word of God says that Christ died and rose again from the dead "to destroy the works of the devil" (I John 3:8).  Jesus Christ came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).

So, why do we continue to suffer?

One reason is that we are still in this world, and the world is infested with sin.  But I believe that the main reason for our continued suffering is to bring us to the point of total dependence on God.

We humans create for ourselves bastions of false security in which we place our trust.  We trust our jobs to give us security. We trust our governments to give us security. We trust our own strength to give us security.  But there is nothing and there is no one who can give us security but God.

The Lord uses suffering to unfasten our tight grip on our false securities.  He wants us to depend totally on Him. But we are so attached to our false securities that God must sometimes use drastic means to wrench us from them.  Hence, we suffer.

Are you now in the furnace of suffering? Then rejoice! God is pruning you, cleansing you, purifying you.  He is transforming you into the image of His own dear Son. 

Be encouraged by these words from our wonderful heavenly Father: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All rights reserved.
Photo by Jon Sullivan. http://www.public-domain-photos.com/

Jesus Wants to Save You, Not Condemn You

By the grace of God, this blog is reaching the four corners of the earth.  I am both humbled and stirred with a renewed and urgent sense of responsibility to proclaim the message of Christ's love for all people.

That message is this:  Jesus Christ came to this earth to save you, not to condemn you.  Because of Jesus Christ, the wrath of God the Father has been appeased.  You may now approach the Father in the Name of Jesus and ask the Father to receive you into His family, and He will. Gladly.

While God the Father is the Judge, Jesus the Son is the Attorney who pleads your case before the Judge.  When the Father sees that you have accepted Jesus, He acquits you of your sin and sets you free.

All you need to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You cannot save yourself.  Your good works cannot save you.  Only Jesus Christ can save you.

If we could be saved by our good works, we would not need a Savior. If we could be saved by our good works, how would we know if we had done enough good works to be saved?  What is "good enough"?

No, the truth is that we are all in need of a Savior.  And the good news is that Jesus has offered Himself as our Savior.  Scripture says there is no greater love than this: that a man should lay down his life for another.  Jesus laid down His life for you and for me.  Now He offers you the gift of eternal salvation that He earned for you by laying down His life to pay the price for your sin.

You now have a choice to make.  Will you accept Christ's gift of salvation or will you reject it? 

I urge you to accept Christ's gift of salvation.  Remember: He came to save you, not to condemn you.  When you come to Him, He will never turn you away.

Come now!  Do not delay, for today is the day of salvation for you! 
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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.  All Rights Reserved.

The Truth Will Make You Free

One's freedom is based on one's acceptance of truth.  The more one embraces truth, the freer one will be.

Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). It is knowledge of the truth and applying it to one's life that makes one free.  The converse is also true: the lie shall make one a prisoner.

Suppose you had an uncle who died and left you a huge sum of money.  Suppose, however, that you did not know what your uncle had done for you.  You would not know to lay claim to your inheritance. You would remain a prisoner of your poverty.

Jesus Christ died and left us an amazing inheritance of eternal life in the hereafter and countless blessings to enjoy on this earth. But if we are unaware of this truth, we will remain in bondage to sickness, poverty, and moral and political ideologies that imprison us intellectually, morally, and, sometimes, physically.

The amazing thing about Jesus is not only that He offers us truth; He IS Truth. He Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). 

One of the greatest lies of this age is that there are many roads to salvation. This is a lie that keeps people in bondage and will take them straight to hell.  There is only one way to be saved, and that way is through Jesus Christ.  He Himself said so.  Believing this truth will set you free.

If you don't believe me, or if you still have doubts, ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you.  He will. :)
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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.  All Rights Reserved.

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Have you ever wondered what happens to a person when he dies?  Some people believe that death is the end of everything, that there is no life beyond this life.  Others believe that there is something after this life but that we cannot know what it is.  Still others don't care.

But what about you? Do you wonder what happens after a person dies? Do you wonder what will happen to you after you die?

The answer to this most important question is found in the Bible. The Bible teaches that a human being is made up of three parts: spirit, soul, and body (I Thessalonians 5:23).  Your spirit is who you really are at the core of your being. Your soul consists of your mind, your emotions, and your will. Your body is your earth suit, the earthly housing for your soul and your spirit.

When a person dies, his soul and spirit leave his body. As a result, the body becomes lifeless and is buried or disposed of in some way.  But the soul and spirit go to one of two places: Heaven or Hell.

According to the Bible, Heaven and Hell are real places.  Heaven is where God and His angels dwell. Hell is where Satan and his demons dwell.  Where your spirit and soul go after you die is up to you. But you must make that choice while you are still alive on this earth.

How do you make this choice? How do you decide where your spirit and soul will go after you die? The answer is very simple.  You do so by an act of your will.

To be saved simply means to be rescued from eternal damnation. But who rescues us? Only Jesus Christ can rescue us from eternal damnation. This is the reason He is called our Savior. We cannot save ourselves. We need someone to save us. That Someone is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came to earth as a man in order to pay the price for our sin. Because He is both God and man, He was able both to stand before God as a man and to stand before God as God.  In other words, His human nature represented all of humanity while His divine nature fulfilled the perfect price of righteousness required to satisfy the wrath of God.  Jesus did this because of His love for us. He knew we could never pay the price for sin on our own. So He paid it for us by giving His very life for us.

Salvation is a gift that Jesus offers to every human being. In order to experience salvation, we must accept Christ's gift.  When we accept His gift of salvation, we receive the assurance that we will go to Heaven when we die.  But more than that, we begin a relationship of ever increasing intimacy with the God Who created us.

Please accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  He is the answer to your every need. In the 44 years since I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord, He has never failed me.  He has only loved me.

To receive Christ's gift of salvation, pray this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am.  I thank You for accepting me just as I am.  You do not condemn me. You only love me. I choose to receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Accomplish Your purpose in me and through me.  In Your mighty Name I pray and receive. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, please let me know. You can reach me at maryann@maryanndiorio.com
I will be happy to offer you further help in growing in your relationship with the God Who loves you.

For more information on salvation, click here.

Are We in the End Times?

There is something in the air, and most of us can sense it.  Earthquakes seem to be increasing. Weather patterns seem to be altering in dramatic ways. The threat of yet another war seems to be looming on the horizon, and with the nuclear weapons we have available today, if a war should erupt, it will be far different from previous wars.

People seem to be more anxious and fearful than ever. When I was a child of eight years of age, I would take the bus by myself to go downtown. There was no danger.  We slept with our doors unlocked. During the summer, we even slept on the porch with no concern whatsoever.

Today, we live behind alarm systems and barred windows. We look over our shoulders as we walk city streets.  We drive through traffic lights and know that we are being monitored.

People seem more rude than ever. Hostilities abound between nations and between spouses. Sin is no longer hidden for fear of punishment; instead, sin is openly and shamelessly exalted.

What does all this mean?

Scripture has much to say about all of the above. What I have described are the signs that will occur before the return of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus Christ is coming back. Acts 1:11 tells us that "Jesus, whom you saw taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go.”  Are you ready for His return?

The eyes of the world are focused on the Middle East, particularly Israel.  Have you ever wondered why?  Why does a nation about the size of the state of New Jersey hold the rapt attention of the entire world? Why does a tiny nation with a small population compared to the rest of the world play such a critical role in current events?

The reason is that Israel is God's nation. He established it and He will preserve it. Despite all attempts to annihilate Israel, it will never happen. Jesus Christ Himself will return to earth to rescue His people. And all those who oppose Him will be destroyed.

It is a dangerous thing to stand against Israel. He who stands against Israel stands against Almighty God. The prophecies of Scripture have never failed to be fulfilled just as they were prophesied.  While all of the prophecies have not yet been fulfilled, those that have come to pass have been fulfilled exactly as prophesied.

What does all of this mean for you? It means that you must make yourself ready for the return of the Lord.  How? By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.  He alone can save you from sin. He alone can redeem you from destruction. He alone can satisfy your heart with good things.

To accept Christ is to accept eternal life.  To reject Christ is to accept eternal damnation. Yes, there is a hell, despite what many say.  But you do not have to go there when you die. The choice is yours. Accept Jesus Christ now. Then write to me to tell me you have.

Here is a simple prayer you can pray:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I ask You to forgive me of my sin. I turn to You to save me. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. Make of me what You created me to be. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a child of God. Scripture says "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

Please let me know if you have prayed this prayer. I will send you information on how to begin your new life in Jesus Christ.

May our Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He grant you His favor and give you His peace. Amen and Amen!

Deception Destroys

Deception is an intriguing subject.  The very nature of deception prevents the deceived person from recognizing that he is a victim of deception. 

Deception is a liar. It causes one to believe that what is false is true.  Deception is Satan's chief weapon against humanity.  Deception is the counterfeit of Truth.

You will be free to the degree that you eliminate deception from your life.

How can you know if you are being deceived?  You can know that you are being deceived if what you believe is contrary to Holy Scripture.  God's Word, also known as the Bible, is absolute Truth.  It is the standard by which all philosophies, all ideologies, all belief systems, all scientific hypotheses, and all methodologies must be measured to determine if they are true or not.

It is a little know fact that Christopher Columbus learned that the earth is round by reading the Book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 22 where Scripture says that "God sits above the circle of the earth." God tells us in this verse that the earth is round.

You say you do not believe the Holy Scriptures?  Why not?  Has your way of living worked? Has it brought you permanent fulfillment, peace, and joy?  Be honest with yourself. 

I was once like you.  Lost and searching for meaning in life.  I found it in Jesus Christ. And so can you!

I encourage you to explore God's Word for yourself.  It is His manual for humanity. Just as you received a manual when you purchased your car or your washing machine, God has given us a manual to help us understand how we are made and how to live successfully in this world.

As always, if you have any questions, please write to me at maryann@maryanndiorio.com. Meanwhile, my prayer is that you will come to know how deeply Jesus Christ loves you!

Looking Beyond the Facts

For many people all over the world, Christmas is often a time of sorrow and regret. Family members may be missing at the dinner table for one reason or another. Broken relationships may trigger deep regret. Family feuds may linger because of bitterness and unforgiveness.

If this describes you in any way, let me offer a thought. Problems have a way of responding to the way we look at them. If we look at the negative situations in our lives as impossible situations, then we will despair. But if we look at the negative situations in our lives as opportunities for miracles, then we will be encouraged.

No matter what is going on in our lives, we can choose our response. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we respond to what happens to us.

If you are suffering emotionally, turn your eyes toward Jesus. Focus on Him. He knows your sorrow. He knows what you are going through, and He wants to comfort you and to heal you. All you have to do is ask.

May Jesus Christ reveal Himself to you in a very special way this Christmas season, and may the New Year bring you a powerful revelation of His deep and infinite love for you.

Living in the Supernatural

There is a place where you can live in peace.  That place is above your emotional pain and in the realm of the spirit where the Kingdom of God is.  But the only way to get there is through Jesus Christ.

There are two realms that control life: the natural realm and the supernatural realm. The natural realm is subject to the laws of the natural world; the supernatural realm is subject to the laws of the supernatural world. 

The supernatural world has both a good aspect and an evil aspect. The good aspect is the supernatural realm inhabited by God and His angels. The Bible calls this supernatural realm of God "the third heaven". The evil aspect is the supernatural realm inhabited by Satan and his demons. The Bible calls this supernatural realm of Satan "the second heaven".  The supernatural realm of God is far more powerful than the supernatural realm of Satan.

Man was created and designed to live in the supernatural world of God, but sin relegated man to the confinement of the natural world.  Jesus Christ came to set man free from the confinement of the natural world and to restore him to the supernatural world of the Kingdom of God.

When man enters the supernatural world without Christ, man will encounter the supernatural curses of Satan and his demons. This is the realm of the occult with all of its attendant dangers.

When man enters the supernatural world through Christ, man will encounter the supernatural blessings of God.

So how does this apply to your life and to your emotional pain?

If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are still a prisoner of the natural world. In practical terms, this means that you are still in bondage to sin and its torment, including emotional torment. You may have tried to free yourself from emotional pain by entering the supernatural world of Satan and his demons. If so, you may have found a false and temporary relief, but you soon learned (or will learn) that Satan offers only trickery and bondage, never truth and freedom.

But if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are no longer a prisoner of the natural world nor the supernatural world of Satan.  Instead, you are a resident of the supernatural kingdom of God and a child of God whose inheritance is healing in every aspect of your being.

You cannot free yourself from the natural world nor from Satan's supernatural world. You need a Savior to free you. Jesus Christ is that Savior.  Accept Him today into your life. Ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. Ask Him to free you from the pain of emotional and psychological torment.  Then expect Him to do so.

Godly Intervention

There can be no healing of the heart without the intervention of Jesus Christ. Scripture reveals the following:

• Psalm 147:3 - "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds."
• Psalm 23:3 - "He restores my soul."
• Luke 4:18 - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because  He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

If you are hurting today, Jesus can heal you. Not only can He heal you, but also He WANTS to heal you. 

Think about this for a few moments. Jesus WANTS to heal you! It is His desire that you be whole, that you be free from the hurts of the past. He died on the Cross and rose from the dead for that very purpose: to set you free in sprit, soul, and body.

What Jesus Christ did for you is called Salvation. The word "salvation" comes from the Greek word sozo which means wholeness.  

Salvation is a gift from God to you. But you have to accept the gift of salvation in order for it to bring healing to your life. This gift of salvation is Jesus Christ Himself.

If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, why not do so now?  Here is a simple prayer you can pray:

Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am. I believe you died and rose from the dead for me so that I can have a relationship with You and be made whole. I accept You now as my Savior and Lord. Make of me what You created me to be. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the Family of God!  You have just made the most important decision of your life. Please let me know, and I will send you some information to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

God bless you!