Are there any conditions of being heard?  Is there a difference of heart for which God hears some prayers and declines others?  Some faith healers would say that if the answer did not come it is because your faith was not strong enough.  Still even our faith is a gift of God’s graciousness as the Holy Spirit trains us up (sometimes through great trials).  So again are their conditions to being heard?   In the book of Jeremiah we may see that Jeremiah 11:” ⁹ And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.¹⁰ They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.¹¹ Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.¹² Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.”

God is not and will not be our “get out of jail free” card that is called upon only in a time of desperation. For the unbeliever, a cry out to God in a moment of trial may or may not be answered. God sometimes answers that He might become known to the unbeliever and other times He may not. For the believer, there are times when we have wandered so far from the central core of His will that He may have ordained the storm for the purpose of drawing us back.

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2010 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.

God knows and sees the heart whether it is seeking Him for the gifts only or if it is seeking the Treasure of knowing Him. 

For those who are seeking to follow Him, He has promised–Jeremiah 33: “² Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name; ³ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

How do you know if you are going to be heard or not?

Continue reading Conditions for Being Heard by God →

How do we discern God’s plan in our life?  There are so many decisions that we make every day of our life; how can we know whether we are following His plan?  How can we distinguish God’s voice when there are so many voices bombarding our minds from outside and from inside? Can we be certain?

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

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27)   Have you ever heard His voice?  Sometimes it is a whisper of a scripture verse or a song in the middle of the night that awakens you and suddenly your heart is filled with peace and joy

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You might say, fine; but does God guide me in the everyday decisions?  Can I be able to say, God said do this; and, I will because He commandeth? David wrote in the Psalms 16: ⁷ I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.⁸ I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.¹⁰ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.¹¹ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

If we look very closely at these scriptures, I do believe that we might get some direction as to God’s Guiding Hand.

Continue reading How Do You Know with Certainty God’s Plan for Your Life? →

When it would appear that we have more questions than answers; what are we to do?  When we are yearning to know God’s plan and the next step is yet unclear what actions must we take?

So often in my own life I have had more questions than answers.  Frequently that is when fears and doubts begin to creep in.  You wonder whether you heard God correctly (a subject we will address more fully tomorrow).  So, for the moment let’s say; we had like Abraham followed God’s command and then the famine came.  Do we then doubt and worry?  Do we run off to Egypt?  Or what do we do?  I, daresay, David gives us the answer in Psalm 146.

Psalm 146 “Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.² While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being…⁵ Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:⁶ Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:⁷ Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:⁸ The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:⁹ The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.¹⁰ The Lord shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.”

photo courtesy of @istockphoto

Even when you have followed God’s command you may find yourself in a desert land for a time. So, when you find yourself in that desert land; then, you should follow these steps.

Continue reading Steps to Calm a Fearful Heart–Praise the Lord, Oh My Soul →

Transforming Grace

by Effie Darlene Barba

Transforming Grace, how could it be

That you should choose a wretch like me

And with one touch these blind eyes free

A glimpse of Glory’s love to see

A mind so filled with doubt and fear

Transformed to peace as you draw near

The darkened winding path now clear

As whisper of your voice I hear

I cannot fathom why you sought

Someone like me, Salvation bought

That from this rubbish thou hast wrought

A life now filled with Your dear thought

So take this selfish heart you found

And with your gentle love surround

That kindness might pour forth abound

And songs of praise the only sound

So mold me by your righteous hand

That firm within Your truth I stand

And trusting all that you have planned

Your joy I sing throughout this land

© 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.”

What are we to do whenever we need direction in life?  Do we toss a coin and hope for the best?  Do we talk to all our friends and get their opinion as what would be best for our life?  Hopefully, they do want the best for us.  Do we sit down and write all the pros and cons to each action?  Or do we just follow our current whims?  Depending on the significance of the decision, I am certain we have all made decisions by all of the above means. Yet, what if God truly has a plan that would guide us, protect us, and show us all that we need to know to make every decision?  Let’s look at the promises God gives to all who seek His wisdom?

Proverbs 2: 3 (AMP) “if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, ⁴ If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, ⁵ Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. ⁶ For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.⁷ He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, ⁸ That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints. ⁹ Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path. ¹⁰ For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you. ¹¹ Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you,”

Photo courtesy of  @istockphoto

If we seek wisdom from God by studying His Word and by asking Him to guide us, recognizing that His Wisdom is like precious silver; He gives to us the following promises

Continue reading Seeking After Wisdom →