If we say that, “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1); then why would I say that Great Faith begins with sight?  Is there a different kind of sight that I am referring to?  Why did the Canaanite woman and the Centurion have great faith while the crowd that had followed Jesus seeking after miracles have faith to be healed; but were not noted as having great faith?   Christ in reference to those around Him said, “Seeing, they do not see.”   This referred back even to the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah when God referred to the  people of Israel not seeing and even urged them to turn and to see His Glory.   “Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: ²² Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence” (Jeremiah 5).  So is sight necessary for faith?  If so, what kind of sight are we talking about?  Is this a sight with our eyes or rather a sight of the heart?  The heart is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary not only as the organ that pumps blood; but, as “one’s innermost character, feelings, or inclinations–the essential or most vital part of something.” 

photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

My focus must be changed and this can only be done by the Grace of God shining forth His Glory and opening the eyes of my heart—I was a blinded wretch who needed to see. Even, then how often have I allowed circumstances, selfish desires, undeserving pride, arrogance, and utter blindness to His Glory, rip from me the peace and joy that is mine in Christ.

Much of the crowd following Jesus could see the physical sights before them.  They could see the outward personage of Christ, the miracles, and the gifts of compassion that He gave; but, could they see the Glory of Christ?  The same is too often true of us.  Our faith then is limited.  Do I need to see merely the miracles to have hope in the physical realm and journey that lay before me or do I need to see “with my heart” something completely different? Paul wrote,

Continue reading Beginning of Great Faith is Sight →

Luke 7: “² And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. ³ And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:⁵ For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:⁷ Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.⁸ For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.⁹ When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.¹⁰ And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”

photo courtesy of  @istockphoto.com

A Mighty Warrior humbled before Christ, bowing to His Authority demonstrates a legacy of Faith.

A Centurion was a professional officer of the Roman Army. Most centurions commanded 80 to 100 men although senior centurions commanded larger groups. To become a centurion, one had to be very skilled, literate, have already served in the military, and have good letters of recommendations. The Jewish people generally felt oppressed by the Roman occupation of their land with taxes and demands. So, how odd was it that this soldier representing the oppressing national authority be acknowledged by Jesus and even more to be said to have Great Faith. Why would Jesus have acknowledged this faith?

Continue reading Great Faith-A Centurion’s legacy →

Where do we find the faith to stand in the midst of all the trials of this world?  We want so much at times.  We beg God to answer our prayers as we stand in the midst of financial disaster, illness, grief, emotional pain, and feelings of worthlessness.  We wonder if He is too busy to be bothered, too tired of our continued requests, or too disappointed in our utter unworthiness.  We hear the burning words of Jesus to His disciples and His apostles, “Where is your faith?”

Only twice during His Earthly Ministry do we find scriptures in which Christ refers to someone’s “great faith”.  Often, He had referred to faith as the key to one’s healing, redemption, and salvation; yet, it was only twice that referred to “great faith.”  One was a Canaanite woman and one was a Centurion Soldier.  So let us look at both of these over the next few days and see why He had referred to their faith as great and let us re-examine our own faith and our requests.

Her response was that “the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”. She did not protest or wail, she humbly worshipped and was willing to take the scraps that fell. “Then, Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman great is thy faith”

Jesus had drawn aside with His apostles so as to get some very needed rest.  The work had been hard and the crowds did not allow any rest for them, there were so many needy, sick, injured, and maimed.  To add to the fatigue there were the scribes and Pharisees following them and criticizing everything that they or Jesus had done.  They needed a moment to be alone so they went to this house to rest.  While trying to rest suddenly outside they heard this woman

Continue reading Great Faith-A crumb is enough →

As has become my tradition, on Sunday I want to share with you a poem.  Frequently, I awaken with a new verse in my head as I lay in bed alone talking to God.  Perhaps there was a time I felt the loneliness of widowhood; until, I realized how special it was that I awoke each morning and could lay there talking with God and hearing His voice.  For those whom God has blessed with a companion; never forget how truly blessed you are. You should each morning begin your day with a gracious thank you praise to your Heavenly Father for having been so kind.  Then, a sweet good morning to the gift of love He gave you should immediately follow.   For those of you, who like me find yourself alone, remember we too are truly blessed for God is right there with us.  Isaiah 54: “⁴ Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. ⁵ For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”   I wanted to share with you today a poem I first wrote in 2005 and hope it lifts you just a little higher, letting you see a Glimpse of His Glory and His Love for you. 

T o GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

My life-so filled with hopes and dreams

Lay shattered at Your feet

So many tears, so many pains

I’d laid before Thy seat

 

Can I look upon Your face of love

And question what You’ve done?

For You have been my only hope

My only morning sun

 

You’ve seen my heart when crushed with pain

Your hands have held it tight

When I have been so weak, so frail

You’ve shown Your strength, Your might

 

You’ve held me close within Your arms

When darkness filled my night

And when I could not see my way

Your eyes, they gave me sight

 

I lay my life within Your hands

That You may heal my soul

And keep my eyes upon You Lord

That I may reach Your goal

 

Shine forth Thy grace, Thy mercy Lord

And let me be Thy light

That all may see Your eyes of love

The blind, they might have sight

 

Let not the sorrows, nor the pains

Bring bitterness within

And give me strength to walk this path

Protect my heart from sin

 

I lay my heart, my soul, my dreams

Before Thy throne of love

I lift my eyes to You, My God

And seek Your will above

 

Thou art the only one I need

To fill my heart with glee

It is Your face, my one true love

Tis all I need to see

 

So lift me up and hold me close

Reveal Thy love divine

That through the holes within my heart

A world might see You shine

 

And if the sorrows of my past

Can touch a wayward one

I thank you Lord for each dark path

That lead them to Your son

 

I praise You now from mountains high

For each dark path I’ve trod

Twas there I found Your heart, Your love

Twas there I found You God

 

What great and wondrous joy I know

Because You are my king

And though the path I cannot see

My heart will trust and sin

 

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

 

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

 

I’ll skip with joy along this path

Though darkness may surround

Because I know You hold my hand

My feet will e’er touch ground

 

I cannot fall outside Your love

I cannot lose my way

I’ll hold my broken dreams once more

And see them real, one day

 

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

 

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

 

© 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.”

Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries or questions that we as believers face is why is there still so much suffering? Didn’t Christ say “come unto me and I will give you rest”? (Matthew 11: 28) Didn’t God promise that “³ He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds”? Psalm 147. Yet, Paul wrote concerning the Christian that “⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4) So, what is Paul talking about, when I am cut do I not bleed?  Troubled on every side, but no distress? If I am distressed does that mean I have failed in my faith? Are all the trials merely a punishment for my failure to follow God as I should? Or can there be other reasons. My life has not been exempt to sorrow. Indeed, trials have always been present in one sense or another as a part of this my journey, my pilgrimage. I have not been a stranger to emotional and physical abuse, cancer, chronic illness, financial disaster, multiple surgeries, false accusations, tragedies, death of those I loved most, and periods of desperate loneliness. Beyond that are the sufferings deep within the heart of feeling unworthy, guilt laden and that fear of failing in all that I do. I tell you all this very honestly to allow you to know that

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

I have been a student of suffering and as such have learned that there are 6 reasons that God allows suffering in the life of the Believer and all six are an act of pure Grace and perfect Love that He might lead us to a place of Glory, Peace, Hope, and Exceeding Joy.

The six reasons why God allows and even ordains suffering in the life of the Believer are as follows.

Continue reading Why Do Christians Suffer? →