This Christian Pilgrimage on earth seems to be always strewn with challenges, trials, and moments of doubt.  Particularly as we look inward and know of our own frailties.  We become caught between our desires to follow God and our frailties in doing so.  Contending for the faith, standing up for the truth of our salvation, refusing to let legalism nor liberalism water it down, fighting to hold tight to the joy we have in Christ, studying the word, battling our moments of fear, and remaining diligent in prayer seems at times to be so fruitless when we look deep within; yet, the truth is it isn’t.  So, dear Christian; don’t lose heart—the same God who called you, will preserve you in Jesus Christ and will complete the work of sanctification.  The book of Jude is very short-one chapter; yet, very rich.  Jude is writing to the early church to warn them of so much false doctrine already arising in the early church from liberalizers who tried to say since salvation was by grace—we should live lascivious, immoral lives; while others entered filled with self-pride, and in various means distorted the gospel.  Since Jude was about to tell the church they must avoid this form of liberalism, he also began and ended his chapter with the truth of their hope.  So, dear friends; let us first look at just that—our hope.

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

If you are like me, when I look at the chaff which I need to sift from my life—I would despair, were it not for this hope.  Our hope of sanctification is held firm by God through through the redemptive work of Christ.

So we will look first at the hope; then, tomorrow we shall look at the exhortations written about in the book of Jude.

Continue reading Secured by God Through Christ →

Do you ever awaken in the middle of the night knowing that you need to pray but don’t know for what?  The last few nights I have done just that.  Often in the past if I had a question for which I prayed in the evening, the answer would awaken me at two or three in the morning by way of a verse, a song, or a whispered thought accompanied by peace.  Then it would be I knew the answer.  Yet, there are those times in which I awaken with a restless sense that I need to pray; but I am uncertain as to why.  So the question might arise, how can I pray when I don’t know what to ask for?  Romans Chapter 8 beginning in verse 25 helps us to understand a bit more the Gracious Wonder of prayer with the help of the Holy Spirit.  “²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  When we don’t know what it is we need to pray for, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is omniscient.  The Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity sees the full depth of our hearts, the future we are about to face, the needs of our loved ones and the full picture of God’s perfect plan for our lives.  He knows precisely the prayer that is needed. 

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws

There is no need to be anxiously fretting about anything when we know that in those moments all we need do is quietly pray.

  In fact, I have found that I go about this in 4 steps which I hope help you as well.

Continue reading Praying in the Strength of the Holy Spirit →

In this Christian pilgrimage we all need others to help us along this road.  We need teachers, preachers, prayer warriors and we need accountability partners.

 

photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

As a widow, I have had to search for friends at times to hold me accountable—people I could trust with the truth (good and bad), people who knew the truth of God’s word, and people who were not afraid to tell me the truth.  What is absolutely amazing to me is that God has prepared for me the best people whom will hold me accountable to God’s word—my own Children.

As Christians our sins are forgiven and we will have everlasting life in the presence of God.  Yet, we will one day stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to be judged according to the talents, resources, opportunities, and privileges we have been given, as to whether we have used them for the kingdom or not.  Our lives will be reviewed before us with all of the good, bad and ugly.   This does not affect our salvation; but does affect the rewards we might receive to be able to lay at the feet of Christ.  As for me I don’t want to arrive empty handed.  One of the things we are accountable for is

Continue reading Accountability Partners →

For several days we looked at Isaiah 54 and the richness of this chapter in its application to the Nation of Israel, to all the believers of Christ, and how it took on a very special meaning to me.  Today let us break down the sections once more as we see that it has a very special meaning to each and every person.

Do you feel barren, empty?  Does your heart feel so heavy that you wonder how can I go on another day?  Day after day and all your efforts end once more into a sea of nothingness.  You long to feel something, anything that will give your life meaning.  In the barrenness of your soul, you long for God and cannot feel Him.  Well, then “Sing, O Barren Soul” for God hath paid your price, at the cross Christ covered your sins that you might be brought near to know the sweet love and joy of God.  He is calling you to be filled to overflowing of His precious living water which will bring forth fruits in all the barren land that surrounds you.  Arise, sing for joy and prepare to receive blessings overflowing.  (Isaiah 54:1-3)

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

Are you afraid, rejected, and forlorn?    Having been married to the lusts of this flesh, your youth spent in shame; only to then be left forsaken by all that you had clung to.  Broken, afraid, and so filled with shame that you think there is no way God could love me now.  Good news!!  He loves you just as you are. 

He longs to cover you with His wings of love and protection—to be a husband to you.  He has bore all your sin and shame on the cross, with great agony Christ bore it all—carrying it into the grave to be buried forever.  He longs to clothe you with His righteousness.  (Isaiah 54:4-6)

Continue reading Isaiah 54-Comfort for the Forlorn →

Today is Sarah Barba’s birthday, tomorrow is Ronald Barba’s birthday, and early next week their anniversary.  Both are Deputy Sheriffs in the Orlando area.  I wrote this poem for them and had planned to post on Sunday as that is the day I post poetry and for Ron’s birthday; but, other events in Orlando has urged me to lay aside the message I wrote for today and to post the poem earlier.  In the early morning hours a 31 year old officer making a stop was shot and killed in the Orlando metropolis.  Across town a few hours earlier, it was almost Ron as well.  I cannot say why God chose to take one home and not another; but, I do trust God’s plan of love.  My heart is torn open wide for the mother of this officer who died bravely protecting us as for the officer who died last month.  When will we awaken from our slumber so as to provide all these officers with the tools, the respect and the salaries they deserve?  What kind of society values “entertainment”, “personal pleasures”, “freedom to sin” and “freedom to destroy” more than justice, honor and integrity?  If we need more jails, then build more jails.  Don’t tie the hands of the very ones sworn to protect us.  

Not Tonight

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Into the deepest darkest night

Where evil lurks-hid from his sight

An Officer goes-prepared to fight

With all His strength and all His might

Praying to God, not tonight

 

He gently pulls His children near

Their smiles can lift his heart with cheer

He kisses boo-boos wipes their tears

And as He leaves for work He hears

Daddy, don’t go, not tonight

 

She kisses him, to work he goes

And all the time, too well she knows

That he must face such evil foes

Phone clutched tight, her eyes then close

Lord, don’t let it ring, not tonight

 

A mother awakens to whisper a prayer

Protect my son from sin’s dark lair

Your warrior of truth-just and fair

Endowed by you with virtues rare

He’s yours to call, please not tonight

 

Forgotten and paid a pauper’s wage

Media and public he must assuage

While calmly holding back the rage

When violent criminals do engage

Pleading to God, not tonight

 

These officers protecting you

They sacrifice more than you knew.

When will you value what they do

Or even stop to say, “Thank You”?

Shame on you, if not tonight

 

Below is a video I made a few years ago that includes the poem I wrote when he graduated.

God’s Warrior–Ronald Barba

© 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.”