Imprisoned for his faith, previously beaten, stoned and left for dead; Paul the Apostle laid out the 7 Steps that guarantee anyone who follows them to have a heart filled with the peace of God. His future uncertain, plagued by a “thorn in the flesh”, isolated from those whom he loved; how could he speak of peace.  Paul’s world: continuously filled with conflict, trials, and disappointments by the world’s standards.  So, how could he teach others the steps to knowing peace? He knew how difficult this journey can be; yet, his heart overflowed with peace. Because he had lived through many trials and still had peace, he was the perfect one to teach the steps to these young Christians.  We find these 7 steps outlined in Philippians 4. Let’s begin by reading these verses and then break them down one by one.

PHILIPPIANS 4:

Continue reading 7 Steps That Guarantee a Perfect Heart of Peace →

Saturday, I was rushing around, trying to finish the videos of the grandchildren’s visit, while, beating myself up for having not accomplished all my to do list.  At the same time, I was preparing dinner to take to the guys at the In2Action ministry.  In2Action is a ministry to assist those who have lost their way, been imprisoned, and trying to get a fresh start.  Their motto is: “Crime Prevention through Personal Redemption.”  The men are given opportunities to restart their life through growing in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Once or twice a month I prepare food, go over and just spend time with them. Most of the time, I wonder who is more blessed by this ministry, me or them.

So, Saturday; while rushing around the pie wasn’t coming out right, the macaroni was sticking, and the videos were each slowly recording. Finally, I rushed out of the house; having baked the pie crust solo to crumble under cherry pie filling and ice cream.  The macaroni and cheese which I made from a rue for the very first time; finally came out smooth.  A counter top grill pan and brat burgers to cook there with all the trimmings thrown into the car as I rushed out.  As soon as I arrived, they came out to unload my car. Continue reading How to Develop a Ministry Based on Unconditional Love →

As we press for the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ; we must remain aware that we have not day to day reached perfection.  However, God declares us perfect by the blood of Christ and continuously sets about the task of transforming us into that perfection.  Beyond that, we must be constantly mindful of God’s truth.  Those who know Christ Jesus as Savior, maturing in the faith; live in harmony with each other.  There may be some minor differences; because, each are in varying degrees of maturity.  However, there remains a harmony of thought based on the truth of God’s Word and the uncompromising foundations in God’s word. Always mindful to remain humble followers of God’s Truth, growing toward the perfection we have been richly provided by grace alone; we march forward through this journey in harmony with other followers of Christ with discernment.

When looking toward others and choosing teachers along this journey, we must remain in harmony; while at the same using discernment.  Furthermore, we pray that God reveal the truth to us, always guiding us into a deeper knowledge of Himself.  Paul wrote just that in Philippians 3: 15-16

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Harmony with Discernment

Continue reading Harmony and Discernment-How to have both →

No matter how far I walk along this journey of life, I still need God to transform my heart.  Each time I think I have arrived, I find a bit of selfishness lurking in my heart.  Nothing makes this more evident than a family reunion; because, there arrives hearts that are raw with emotions of things past and expectations of things to come.  Beyond that, many come with hearts seeking their own fulfillment from others instead of from God.

Because God knows the true state of my heart and all that I need to become like His Son, He continues to work within me to change me into the perfect righteousness He declared and determined I would be. Every trial, every circumstance He uses to transform me a little more; so that, I might fully enjoy Him. Because He is always about transforming me into His image; fully actualized in Him. When He completes the work, I enjoy His love, His joy and bask in the presence of His Glory.

We transform into people who gain God’s mission of reaching the lost.  Love guides us and drives us with a passion for this one thing: to bring others to God’s light and love.

Philippians 3:

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Paul realized this truth.  He urged the church at Philippi to be thus minded as well.  Although God had cloaked them in the righteousness of Christ; having declared them perfect; because of the work God continued to do in them: still God needed to continuously reveal to them that for which He needed to transform in their hearts.  They needed to be ever aware that they had not fully attained; but, to press toward that goal with all the passion within their heart.

TRANSFORM MY HEART

By Effie Darlene Barba

Dear Lord, please look inside my heart

Transform me from within

For sometimes Lord I cannot see

The truth of all my sin

 

There seems to be a battle, Lord

That rages in my soul

The person that I really am

With the one that is my goal

 

And when I look into the mirror

Which one will I then see

The one that’s caught in selfish pride

Or the one I want to be

 

And when I think I have arrived

I find that what is true

A bit of me I hold too tight

To ever look like You

 

And so,

Dear Lord, please look inside my heart

Transform me from within

For sometimes Lord I cannot see

The truth of all my sin

 

So, Purify me with your flames

And burn away the gross

That I might shine Your light of love

And never count the loss

 

Whatever trial you must send

To change this heart of mine

My one desire, my lord my king

Is that Your Glory shine!

 

And die to me that You might live

Your love and Grace to give

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

CONCLUDING TWEETS:

[tweetthis]Whatever it takes, Lord; transform my heart to love like you do.[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Too often we seek fulfillment from other broken vessels instead of from God” username=”effiedarlene”]

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

A Broken and Contrite Heart, I published in 2010, answers the question, “What do I do when I keep falling into the same sin? Does God hate me because I keep failing to get this write?  So, where do I begin again and find joy in my salvation; after, falling.  If you want to know more about this book or the other books I have written:  You can find a link at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Photo courtesy of https://unsplash.com/@martino_pietropoli  I added the inscription

Driven by purpose and passion, we establish a mission statement for life; because, we must clearly define our goal while maintaining focus on the prize.  Then, we must establish an action plan that forces us into steps toward that goal–one step at a time. Either that or we go through life drifting.  Everyone at times develops a mission for a moment.  Example: When a bride-to-be desiring a specific dress or a marathon runner preparing for a race, establish a diet/exercise plan to ascertain they reach their goal. As followers of Christ, how effective could our lives be if we establish a mission statement defining our purpose and number one passion in life, being Christ Jesus.  Therefore, our lives would be driven by God’s will and purpose; because, we see Him as the greatest treasure and our goal becomes conformed to knowing Him more.

As I look back over my life, I realize most of my struggles in this Christian walk came because of one of these three issues.  Either I 1) Lost focus of my goal.  2) Lost my passion to push through toward the goal 3). Failed to establish a plan toward reaching the goal. Over the years the current mission may ebb and flow somewhat; however, the focus needs to remain unwavering.

Example:  my mission for my website use to be “Seeking and Savoring Christ, that His Love and His Joy Might be Displayed”; whereas, now it has evolved into “Inspiring Joy in Life’s Toughest Moments”.  Both remain focused on Jesus Christ and displaying His Joy to the World; however, my process changed from my steps toward achieving that goal into what I hope to bring you who by chance stop to read. In short, my mission changed from me to you.

PAUL’S MISSION STATEMENT

⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, ⁹ and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith—counting on Christ alone. ¹⁰ Now I have given up everything else—I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with him.

¹¹ So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead.

¹² I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.¹³ No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.  Philippians 3

Paul’s goal, clearly stated:  To Know Christ and to press with all His energy toward being all that Jesus Christ desired Him to be.

A GOAL WITH PASSION TO REACH

When my goal became knowing Jesus Christ, fully and intimately with all my heart; then, I began to see even my moments of suffering differently.  My focus became Him.  My passion transformed to wanting to be all that He desired.  His will, nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.  Only then could I see the crosses and storms of this life through God’s eyes of Grace and love.  If He needed to transform my heart, so be it!  Whatever He needs to do.

ACTION PLAN:

My action plan:

1. Arise each morning early to read His word and spend time alone with Him.
2. Every night I end my day in prayer.
3. Whenever fears or doubts creep into my heart; I stop for a moment and focus on a scripture of promise for whatever trial I face

So, I ask you; what is your true mission statement of life?  What goal are you most passionate for? Keeping that in mind, then all the other goals you may develop during a lifetime conform to your life goal. The one thing I know: When Jesus Christ becomes your greatest goal and knowing Him more your mission of life; then, each step you take brings you closer to Glory.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

CONCLUDING TWEETS:

[tweetthis]When God Becomes Your Focus and Goal, Your Mission Statement changes[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Hope grows as You focus on Jesus Christ & Your mission is to know Him more[/tweetthis]

 

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

A Broken and Contrite Heart, I published in 2010, answers the question, “What do I do when I keep falling into the same sin? Does God hate me because I keep failing to get this write?  So, where do I begin again and find joy in my salvation; after, falling.  If you want to know more about this book or the other books I have written:  You can find a link at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Photo by Jake Hills on Unsplash The inscription I added.