Category: Blog

Romans 8:  ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Many people try to teach a gospel of believe in Christ and your life will run smooth with no problems.  If there are any difficulties in your life it is because you are lacking enough faith; as though, you can of your own self by trying develop that faith.  Paul was well aware that this Christian walk is laden with tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and even death. Paul of his own journeys reported, "²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

²⁶ In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

²⁸ Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?" (2 Corinthians 11)   Perhaps, I might even dare say that the Christian walk is sometimes laden with more trials, burdens, sorrows and difficulties.  Yet, there in the center of all of the trials stands God’s love.  Because of God’s love we have hope and joy in the midst of the storms of this life.  We understand that He is there to share in His love and His joy which is sustaining and that none of the trials of this life can separate us from that love.  In this world so filled with perils, disappointments, and distractions; we must fight for joy in Christ.  We must be always prepared for the battle of each day.  We prepare through studying His word and running to His arms in prayer.  So often, I must throw down my sword and rest in His arms to be prepared for the next day to come.  My hope, My Joy is founded upon His Love of which I cannot be separated because I accepted this grace and know that His Future Grace will sustain me until one day I am called home to be with Him.  He is the author and finisher of my faith; though, mine may waiver–His will not.  He holds me in the palm of His Hand and whatever storm may arise, He will never let go.  This warrior is a child who will always run home to my Father to gain the strength to face each new day. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm2LGm35MDo

 

My son, Ronald has done some wonderful artwork for my books, Glorifying God.  Since on the weekend I must leave so early for work, I wanted to share these with you.  Tomorrow, I will bring you a new message from the word of God.  Today I hope you enjoy browsing through these links. Ronald has dedicated his life to protecting you as a Deputy Sheriff performing his work in a manner that Justice and Mercy meet.   Below are links to Artwork that will inspire you. I have these portraits hanging on the wall over my computer where I write for you this morning blog and they stand as reminders of God’s Grace in my Life.

Good Morning,

Below my signature you will find icons to my business sites on Facebook, Twitter, Fine Art America, and Zazzle. Please feel free to like or follow my pages and send my store links to anyone who maybe interested in these items.

I greatly appreciate the references.

Sincerely,

Ronald Barba

Below is the poem to Ron that I wrote the day he graduated from the Academy.

 

To Ronald Barba, my son

(Deputy Sheriff)

I trembled once so long ago

Upon your first birthday

This world so filled with evil foe

Could I protect your way?

I prayed a little whispered prayer

That God would keep you safe

Protect you from each of life’s snares

Give strength to face life’s chafe

I see you now, this man you are

Such honor, truth and grace

Your dreams sometimes so distant far

With strength each day you face

I’ve watched you grow into this prince

So filled with honor, truth

So brave as ne’er at danger wince

Yet gentle, wise beyond your youth

I see you stand before me now

And know what God has done

His wisdom, strength He did endow

For He needed you my son

To be the one, His warrior here

To go into the street

And facing evil’s dreadful tear

With justice on your feet

I tremble now as I let go

Upon this special day

This world so filled with evil foe

I can’t protect your way

And yet, I know that God above

Will always be your guide

It is His mercy, grace and love

That holds you at His side

Love, Mom

2 Timothy  (Amp) 4: 4 I charge [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:

² Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

³ For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

⁴ And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.

⁵ As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand and I will soon go free.

⁷ I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

⁸ [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

Paul was imprisoned and he knew that soon they would be coming to put him to death for his preaching the gospel.  He wrote Timothy charging him and all who would follow to preach the word.  He said be instant in season and out of season-always ready to point someone to the gospel.  Paul was willing to die before he would compromise the truth of the gospel.  Salvation was because of the cross and could only be obtained through faith in the finished work of Christ.  He urged Timothy to do the same.  Are you studying the Word so that you are ready always to proclaim Christ?  Do you look for opportunities to proclaim Him?  Do you desire that your very life displays an evangelistic message for Christ?  Are you willing to die to self, that Christ might live through you?  Have you wandered away, like the prodigal son and are too ashamed to find your back or feel you could never be used?  Then, come just as you are; because the only plea any of us have is the blood of Christ and His atonement for us?  Have you never known Him?  Then come just as you are?  The following hymn was the invitational song at every one of the Billy Graham Crusades.  Close your eyes and let this be your invitation today to come just as you are to lay all your burdens, your fears and your doubts at the foot of the cross and let the promises of Christ become yours through faith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOnBFGAevks

 

John 3:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luke 22:

⁴⁰ And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

⁴¹ And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

⁴² Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

⁴³ And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

⁴⁵ And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

⁴⁶ And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

The hour had come and the human flesh which Christ had taken upon Himself cried out in agony.  He knew the pain and suffering He was about to endure.  He knew that He would be beaten, rejected and hung on the cross like some murderer or thief.  Yet, He knew also that He would face His own greatest temptation.  The Prince of the Universe would endure the pain of this, knowing that any second He could call down a legion of angels and say, "Stop, I won’t do this".  He knew that He must take upon Himself the guilt and the punishment for all the sins of mankind.  To do that He would have to feel the full wrath of God against sin flung against Him and for a moment in time, He would feel the wrath of His Father while the Holy Spirit also withdrew His comforting strength.  He would be all alone in this human body.  Could He withstand the temptation to end it forever?  He knew He must in order that I might be reconciled before a Holy God.  So, He did.  He withdrew to pray with great agony and pain deep within His soul.  Yet, part of that prayer, as recorded in John was one in which He prayed for me (and for you whom believe in Him as Your Savior and all who will believe in Him).  John 17:  "²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

How can I ever understand such love for me?  How could I ever doubt Him?  How could I ever let the circumstances of this life ever cause my eyes to turn away from Him for even a moment?  How could I ever disgrace Him by getting caught up in my own petty frustrations?  I bow at the foot of the cross and my greatest desire is to give Him my life, my heart to do with as He will to bring Him the Glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IbWUc4h8WU

 

Ephesians 2:  ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Perfect Righteousness demands perfect Justice.  I remember a Muslim friend who once told me, "at this point in my life, I can never pray enough; nor perform enough good to undo the sins in my life."   He was a doctor and by worldly standards had not been considered evil; but, he had realized that by the standards of perfect righteousness, he had failed.  Light had shone into the darkness of his heart revealing every selfish, covetous thought.  Have I ever hurt or injured anyone by thoughts of jealousy? Have I unjustly ever injured someone else by words spoken?  Is there within me some pride-filled desire to be exalted above someone else? Have I ever gotten angry unjustly?  When the light of God’s Righteousness shines into the darkness of my heart, I too, would cry out " I can never do enough to undo the sins in my life"  Justice demands that I be sentenced to death eternally.  Yet, there at the foot of the Cross; Perfect Justice and Perfect Love met to give forth Mercy to someone like me and you. 

So in His diverse excellences, He (Jesus Christ) is perfect judge—respecting every law and carrying out the just penalty of the law with all its wrath and fury; while at the same time being perfect mercy and grace by accepting the full power of God’s wrath toward sin on Himself so that those who would accept His gift would be made righteous through faith.  He is God in all his Holiness, Power, and Might. Yet, He chose to leave heaven with all its beauty to obediently come to earth in poverty, knowing that he would be rejected and ridiculed.  The sea and the wind obeyed His voice.  He raised Lazarus from the dead, healed the lepers, drove out demons; yet, He chose to die a cruel, humiliating death without opening His mouth except to ask the Father to forgive those who nailed Him to the cross. He was a man of great sorrow; yet, filled with Joy.   He who “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1: 1-3.  This same Christ bowed down in reverence and obedience to the Father.  He was royalty who chose to live in poverty among the “untouchables” and outcasts.  He was perfect wisdom, who taught and still teaches with great patience a bunch of slow learners such as ourselves.  He hated sin and all its effects on man; yet, He loved the sinner enough to offer to take His place.   On this subject, I could go on writing for a lifetime and never complete the list of diverse Excellencies which are found in Christ Jesus.  There was never one so worthy to receive only good; yet, so willing to patiently endure suffering and pain for our sake.  excerpt from Ultimate Inspiration God’s Plan of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NkzxwpQlXA