So, we are beginning to understand the importance of gaining God’s wisdom and that it needs to be written upon our hearts that we might grow in peace and the joy of God.  So, we want to say “ok” just pour the wisdom into my brain, let’s go. Yet, it doesn’t work that way.  Just like children learning to walk, to run, or to ride a bike; we need to study, to practice, and to fall down sometimes.  Athletes would say, “there is no gain without pain.” Then why do we Christians think that we can grow to be strong spiritually without studying and without going through trials, suffering, and pain at times.  Solomon wanted his children to understand this, for that reason with the next exhortation; he stops and explains once more the value of the lessons to be learned. 

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2011 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.

Learning the wisdom of God at times requires that we go through trials; there is no other way to transform a self-exalting heart into one that can be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit.  Yet, when we are going through chastening or training; we must not lose sight of the prize.  When we recognize that God has ordained the trial because He loves us; then, we can accept the trial as good.

  Instead of pleading only that the storm stop, we can begin to ask God, “What do I need to learn from this?”  We are then able to change our focus and our

Continue reading Tidbits of Wisdom A Study in Proverbs—Part 6 Trials-God’s Love →

A Father’s Prayer

 

Two tiny cells that joined in love

Chosen blessed by God above

Grew deep within her mother’s womb

Such glorious joy and hope abloom

 

Appointed day of her dear birth

Hearts bursting forth euphoric mirth

Love overtook this Father’s heart

So great, I felt it rip apart

 

Oh, gracious God how can it be

This precious gift you gave to me

And as I hold her in my arms

This precious babe so filled with charms

 

My precious heavenly father mine

Such gracious love and joy divine

You’ve given to this servant yours

A song of thanks my heart outpours

 

Dear Lord, I ask please let me be

Example of You for her to see

In all I do and all I say

While guiding her along life’s way

 

The greatest gift that I can give

Is teach her how in You to live

To show her how in You to rest

When e’er this world her faith would test

 

And so dear Lord I know I must

Dedicate my life to you, entrust

That you will guide me by Your hand

To show her all that Your love planned.

© 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.”

As we continue in Proverbs, you may have noted that in these first chapters there is a pattern.  Solomon is speaking to his sons in a pattern particularly he gives an exhortation followed by a promise as to its benefit.  He returns and repeats the importance of God’s wisdom and in having a discerning heart.  It is a heartfelt pleading that they might listen and write these words upon their heart so they will not stray from God. 

 

 

A Father’s love for his child so desires that his child not have to learn life’s lessons through trials and errors.  He wants to guide them, teach them and protect them from having to suffer the consequences of making foolish decisions.  God, our heavenly Father, also pleads with us to hold his hand and heed His counsel.   He so wants to protect us from our own folly.

  So let us continue to move forward through Proverbs.

Exhortation–Proverbs 3:  ‘⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him,” Do you trust God with your life?  What about when everything appears to be spiraling down around you?  Do you trust God when you are in the midst of tragic illness?  Do you trust God with your job?  Do you trust Him to guide you with your finances?  Do you trust Him with your heart when life seems to be crushing it?  Do you trust

Continue reading TIDBITS OF WISDOM-A STUDY IN PROVERBS PART 5- A Loving Father’s Desire →

So, we will pause for a moment from Proverbs to say Thank you Lord for Annabella Grace Barba, born yesterday.  What a wondrous and gracious miracle—life.  Chosen, formed by your mighty hand as a gift to your humble servants—Alberto and Lindsey as an expression of their love first for you and their love for each other. 

 

Psalm 127: ³ Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 139: “¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee….¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Isaiah 44 (ASV) ²³ Sing, O ye heavens, for Jehovah hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein …²⁴ Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth

Listen to this beautiful song written and sung by Kristyn Getty A Mother’s Prayer

American Standard Version (ASV)

Copyright © 1901 by Public Domain

 

© 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.”

As we inch forward in Proverbs I find that there is so much richness in each word—so much wisdom that it is hard to move very quickly.  Chapter 3 continues Solomon’s exhortations to his sons; but, so clearly it is the loving Heavenly Father’s gentle exhortation to each and every one of us.  Let us look upon the verses as we go.

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:” Obedience to God is a matter of the heart and He knows that.  Outwardly at times we stumble; but God knows our hearts.  He also knows that if we write the His words upon our hearts, we will be transformed from the inside out.  Our choices will change, our decisions will be guided by our hearts of love for Him.  No amount of outward attempts at obedience without it coming from the heart can last. The promise for obeying with our hearts is “2 For length of days, and long life, and peace will be added to thee.”  Ah, a life of peace; isn’t that what we long for in this chaotic world?  Peace that steadies the heart.  A heart that is bent upon keeping God’s commandments is a heart that is filled with peace; knowing and trusting in God’s perfect plan.

Proverbs 3: 3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:”

Mercy and truth—written upon our hearts by the Spirit of the living God (2 Corinthians 3:3).  Wrap yourself in the truth of God’s mercy until you are bound tightly by it.  Here it says about your neck like a collar that leads you—guides you.  When you are so tightly bound by mercy and truth; your anger, self-centered, selfish behaviors are harnessed as well.  Thus, the promise that follows is 4: “So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”  When your pride-filled, self exalting heart is harnessed by the truth of your own unworthiness and God’s mercy toward you; a gentle, patient, loving spirit will emerge which will gain favor with God and with mankind.  Others will come to see Christ through you.

Well, for today I must keep it short….there is a big surprise I can disclose tomorrow.  Let these truths sink deep within your heart and savor the sweetness of them, while listening to Matt Redman singing “Mercy”

 

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012

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.”