When we read through the old testament, we sometimes stand in wonder at how many times God pleads with His people.  These people who are so quick to forget all that He has already done for them.  These people who quickly become caught up in foolish desires, worship idols of their own making, and grumble because they want something different.  God is the one who provides all that they need.  He knows that the only love that can fill their heart completely, the only One who can fill that empty void is Himself–the mighty and great I AM.  We read about them and say "What a foolish people!!"  Then we look at ourselves and see the same.  When everything is comfortable we forget to praise Him and  we wander off seeking other pastures; yet,

He pleads with us to remember who is our provider. 

When His Providential will leads us through

tempestuous waters

or through a blazing flame, we moan, tremble in fear, and beg God to answer our prayer.  Our faith shakes when trials or questions lay before us because we do not really believe that God is In Control, meaning this thing (whatever it is), this thing has been ordained by the only true God, Creator of the Universe.  He ordained it in love, that I might grow in my ability to rejoice in His presence.  He ordained it in love, that I might learn to trust Him.  He ordained it in love, that I might see the beauty of His Glory.  He ordained it in love that He might draw me closer to Him because only there will I find fulfillment, peace, hope, and joy.

Read with me the plea He made to His people, all of His people

Continue reading God’s Plea For You →

GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE

Oh, Love Divine, what greater thought

That you should suffer, bleed and die

To pay my sin, my freedom bought

Though I screamed Crucify

With every action of my life

I cast aside your pleading cries

I caused you pain, I gave you strife

And chose to follow after lies

I could not see your beauty then

As now I see your face

Your light shone forth, e’er so dim

That I might see Your Grace

You drew me out, you pulled me in

That I might then seek you

You covered then my ugly sin

Your righteousness to view

Such love Divine, pursuing me

Your Joy and Hope to share

How could I run, How could I flee

Naught else could e’er compare

Unto the hope I find in You

As now I turn to seek your Face

Your Glory shines and lights my view

You guide me on at gentle pace

Transforming thus my wretched heart

Unto the one You knew I’d be

Your joyous love ne’er to depart

For all eternity.

This poem I wrote for the introduction into my book
“Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love” for which my son Ronald Barba drew the portrait of the Lion with the Lamb.  I hope both inspire you and remind you of the love, joy, and peace that we hold IN CHRIST, because of the mighty power of the Great I AM.  This we have if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, our only hope, our redeemer who paid the penalty for our sin and is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. 

 

Question:  Do you know Him as Your Savior?

 

© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba

Artwork by Ronald Barba (used by permission)  © 2012 Ronald Barba

portraits can be purchased at  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/ultimate-inspiration-gods-plan-of-love-ronald-barba.html

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 with the exception of my own book. 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.”

Try as we might, we are an emotional creature whose feelings seem to change with the wind.  One minute we are trusting, the next we run in fear.  One minute we stand strong upon God’s grace and the next minute we are caught up in our own guilt. Such a silly people we are; yet, God is so gracious and loving toward us.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com

I can almost hear Him sigh at times, with that soft gentle smile upon His face as He whispers, "Dear Child, why are you worried?  Don’t you remember who I am and that I have it all figured out for your best blessing and to lead you to your greatest joy?  Before you were ever born I loved you and I love you still with an everlasting love." 

We often look at the old testament men and women of God with wonder as we watch their faith rise and fall.  We even desire to believe that we are different than they.  Let us take a peek at the 25th Psalm and see if we do not just see a bit of ourselves in David. 

Continue reading Feelings Aside, I Will Trust In God’s Steadfast Love →

As pilgrims journeying through this land we come upon many trials, temptations, sorrows and pain.  Too often the modern day church would try to cover up the truth of our journey and say such things as "come to Christ and you will never again experience sorrow, life will be easy".  Others will say name whatever you want and it will be yours. Then we realize that neither is completely true; despite a ring of truth hidden deep.  I have often told you about the tremendous joy in Christ that overcomes the sorrows and that we must fight at times to hold onto

that joy.  This is true…there is joy and peace that is found in Christ once we have come to the realization that He is our greatest treasure; yet, foolish pilgrims that we are there are those moments when we become complacent in the rolling hill or pasture that we are currently passing through.  We desire to stay there and let our desires wander toward counterfeit joys once more; losing sight of our only true joy—a relationship with our Creator who is perfect beauty and perfect joy.  His work in transforming us into a vessel that can truly experience His love, His Glory, and His joy one day must be always about removing the blemishes and the desires for counterfeit joys.  He loved me as I was with all my faults; but He loves me too much to leave me where I was and He is ever about the work of transforming me into the image that He knows I can and will be.  Let us look at truths that Peter wrote about which will help you and I to understand this journey.

Continue reading Beautiful Transforming Grace–Sorrows, Trials leading to Joy, Hope, Peace, →

So often we say we want God to lead us, to show us His will; then we only want to be lead by still waters or to be led by the pillar of a soft billowy cloud through brightly lit days.

  We want to see the end clearly.  What about when He leads by a pillar of fire through the darkness?  Do we trust Him and follow no matter what the storms that surround us?

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com

If we look at the scriptures we must realize that God leads us through the dark nights of our lives as well, sometimes as the pillar of fire before us.

Exodus 13: 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Too often we become complacent where we are and resist His desire to move us to a future unknown to us; but clearly known by God.    The comfort of the nest in which we are resting, the familiarity of all that surrounds us; causes us to want to stay where we are.  In those moments He must stir up our nest

Continue reading When God Stirs up the Nest to Lead You, Follow →