The greatest gift that I can give to my family and friends is the gift of the gospel. This is always on my mind; even more as I recognize that I approach my birthday—one less year left to proclaim the name of Christ. Yet, how do I tell the world about my best friend, my Savior without sounding too “preachy”?  Do I tell them about my own failures and a Savior who loved me so much that He came down to save me in spite of all that? Do I tell them that even in the darkest hours of illness or abuse; God’s plan of love lead me to an ever-growing, abounding faith—a faith I could have never imagined I would have? Or do I tell them of all the blessings He has bestowed on me with my children, friends and life? Do I tell them how in the darkest, loneliest hours of my life I could feel the warmth of His presence as He sang a gentle love song over me in the middle of the night? Would they think me crude or a bit crazy were I to tell them? Yet, there is no greater gift that I could give them. How could I fail to give them the only gift that really matters?

Yet, if I see Christ as my greatest treasure; wouldn’t my life’s song echo Him to the world?

Isn’t that what Paul wrote to the Galatians? Perhaps there we might see examples of how a life devoted to Christ might look like.

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Swept Away by Grace-A Study in I Peter (conclusion)-A Pilgrim’s Fight for Joy

The entire book of I Peter was written to the early Christians preparing them for the battles they would need to face; because Peter knew all too well that to proclaim to be a follower of Christ would mean imprisonment, ridicule, torture and death. He had watched as they had beaten, tortured, and hung his Savior on the Cross; yet, he had seen the risen Christ. Peter had glimpsed upon Glory, had been washed by the fountains of God’s love, had tasted the sweet joy that can only come from a relationship with the Creator of our hearts, and had been swept away by the magnitude of Grace which had been bestowed upon him.

In this Christian Pilgrimage Journey, from the world’s point of view, we too may face a life of trials, tribulations, persecutions and suffering. Yet, in the midst of what the world may consider to be suffering; a mist of glory arises out of our tears which abounds into bubbling streams of love, hope and joy as our faith arises out of the ashes of our fears when we focus on Christ as our greatest treasure-seeking and savoring Him above all else.  Our joy is not based on our circumstances. It is grounded firm in a relationship to Christ—a love story above all love stories.

That is what Peter urged the early Christians to understand. There is a battle that we

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Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter (part 23)—When Satan Roars

I Peter 5: ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Roaring Lion? Do we know Satan as such? After all, were he to come at me roaring; I would see the danger, right? I am so aware of Satan’s hissing, whispering sounds of a lying snake. How often have I heard His hissing questions? “What makes you think God could love you, look at you?” or “Surely God could never use someone like you.” Or “Do you really believe that is what God has said?” Or “If God really loved you, He would never have allowed the suffering in your life?” And so the whisperings of Satan go, planting seeds of doubt and feelings of despair; promising that we might have greater joy if we would just………. But roaring?

How does Satan roar? He encircles us with pain. Pacing around us with evil, tragedies, destruction, illness, rejection, and despair. Roaring as he circles—pacing, roaring while inciting fear and doubt. As, he roars “Where is your God, now?” He cloaks himself with the image of Christ as the Lion of Judah; yet, instead of being the protector, he roars forth with anger and suffering until our hearts would faint and our faith would vanish. So how can we ever resist stedfast in faith? How could that ever be possible? “I don’t have enough faith to withstand such an attack?” is our cry. What are the keys to a faith that will overcome such attacks?

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I Belong

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

I think of all the Grace you’ve shown

Abounding love poured to my heart

The Joy in you, how it has grown

How could I doubt or e’er depart

This faith abiding in You God

You taught me through this journey trod

 

When Satan slivers like a snake

Accusing me of selfish pride

Of guilt and shame my heart would break

Were You not here to take my side

You paid my price and set me free

That I might soar for all to see

Chorus:

I think of all the Grace you’ve shown

Abounding love poured to my heart

The Joy in you, how it has grown

How could I doubt or e’er depart

This faith abiding in You God

You taught me through this journey trod

 

And Satan’s raging, roaring sounds

As lion striking at my life

When sorrow, pain and grief abounds

The world around so filled with strife

When faith would quake beneath my feet

Your victory sounds- I won’t retreat

 

Dear Lord, I feel Your presence near

How can it be such Joy is mine

I’m blessed with love and hope it’s clear

Your Glory in my heart does shine

No need to know tomorrow’s song

You’ve grasped my hand and I belong

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

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

Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter (part 22)—Worry Free Humility

In this letter, Peter keeps reminding the early church of the Amazing Grace of God that saves them and that keeps them; holding them firm and steady through every stormy trial that they might face. He urges the elders of the church to teach the new believers by example and with gentleness of heart. Within the church, this was to be the order set and Peter then turns to tell the younger believers to submit to the authority of the elders and to open their minds to learn. You see that at the beginning of verse 5 in chapter 5. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.” Then as he is telling them this, as though a sudden revelation came, he continues with “all of you (elders and young believers) be as servants subject to provide, guide and teach each other”.

Lest there be any pride—oh dear sweet Peter—no one could understand the perils of pride better than tempestuous, quick spoken, impulsive Peter. Peter had learned through his denial of Christ and the gracious way that Christ bid him to “feed the sheep”. He had been placed in a very high place as a leader of the church; yet, Peter had learned that the power, the strength, the love and the wisdom to perform came from God alone. Peter had been stripped of all his own pride and was humbled by the mighty hand of God—recognizing His omnipotent power that could have said “done” and the earth would have crumbled; yet, at the same time awed by the Grace and Love that had proclaimed him a redeemed, sanctified Saint.

Peter then wrote:

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