Category: Christian Blog

How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!

How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!

When I entered first grade I was the tallest and heaviest child in my class with one little boy taking a close second. To make matters worse, I had a speech impediment that was quite obvious. Academically I excelled which did not add to my popularity in any way. By second grade, I felt the sting even greater regarding my weight; although, my speech had been improving from regular trips to speech therapy. There was one incident that will forever stand out in my mind. As we went out to the playground with a jump rope, one pretty little girl named Kay shouted, “Pretty first, fat last”. I had become accustomed to being the one never chosen. Then amazingly, a little girl named Toni said, “Pretty is as pretty does, Darlene goes first.” What? Someone had seen me inside/out and had chosen me? That was a day I would never forget.

Me second grade 001
Effie Darlene Barba, 2nd Grade; Mrs. Estes Class, Southwest Elementary School Dexter Missouri

 

“GOD KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME, EVERY THOUGHT AND EVERYTHING I WOULD EVER DO; YET HE LOVED ME WITH HIS UNCONDITIONAL PERFECT LOVE. WHAT WONDROUS AND AMAZING GRACE!!  HOW COULD I EVER GIVE HIM LESS THAN ALL MY LOVE AND ALL OF ME?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bctt tweet=”What is SO amazing!! God knew me inside and out; yet, He still chose me to be His child.”]We know very little about Nathanael as he is mentioned only twice in the Bible. He is mentioned in the first and the last chapter of the book of John. Yet, if we look at the story of Nathanael, we see that his story is very important to each and every believer. Christ saw Nathanael inside and out; chose Nathanael and that forever changed Nathanael. Let’s look at the story.

Continue reading “How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!”

How to Be a Witness of Light to the World

How to Be a Witness of Light to the World

How can we be a witness to the true light, when we ourselves are not the light? John Chapter 1 uniquely presents Christ by declaring the truth of Christ’s beauty, power, and Glory. John wrote that Christ is the true light of the world. The light that brings eternal life. The word of God—every truth and every promise fulfilled. God’s oath to provide a Savior for fallen man was fulfilled in Christ. The only light that could penetrate the darkened hearts of man is God’s light. The only light that can reach into self-exalting, pride filled hearts to cause them to turn and see the glorious beauty of Christ in all of God’s Glory is Jesus Christ. The only light that can shine so brightly that man can see the darkness of his own sin filled heart and fall before His creator in awe-inspired worship is the light of Christ to the World.

Greatest Light

[bctt tweet=”When God becomes our greatest desire, His Glory will shine through us to light a darkened world. “]

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What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin?

What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin?

I just returned from a trip to visit my daughter and her family. It had been a season of great difficulty for her. She had recently lost her step mother to cancer and then she had gotten sick with chicken pox. With all that, I went to see if there was anything I could do to comfort her. I was met with such grace. It had been almost two years that I had not seen my daughter and granddaughter. We never failed to talk on the phone a lot; but, I had not wanted to be “in the way” as she cared for her step mother during the prolonged illness. The trip was filled with so much of God’s grace. My daughter got well quickly. My granddaughter was an utter delight as we did so many things together. God’s grace shown through as my granddaughter displayed her own knowledge of God through her writing and talk. What wondrous grace toward me has God displayed over the years!! Not because of anything I have ever done to deserve it. I who stumbled and fell so often along this journey. Me, the one who searched for love without realizing that God was all the love this heart needed. Had it been pride so long ago that led to my divorce from Miguel (Melissa’s father)? Yet, even after that, God’s grace had blessed me with my sons through my marriage to Pete. God’s grace had led Pete to Christ before Pete’s death. God’s grace had carried me through the cancer and all the other illnesses that followed. It has been grace that carried me every step of the way. Pure, undeserved Grace has been given me from a mighty and wondrous God.

What wondrous grace

[bctt tweet=”When Grace upon Grace meets with the truth of my sinful Heart-Grace Wins!!”]

We have been looking at the gospel account as written by the Apostle John. So far, we have seen that he presents Christ as The Word—the only Word that matters. The word of God which is also God Himself. John then presented Christ as the light of the world. The only true light that can penetrate the darkness of man’s heart. Thirdly he presented Christ as God’s Glory Displayed. All the fullness of God’s Glory could be seen in Christ. Next John writes, “16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for (upon) grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1).

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What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?

What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?

We have been looking at the unique way that John’s gospel has introduced Christ. He began by saying that Christ was the Word of God, was God and was with God from eternity past. God’s oath to send a Savior was fulfilled in Christ. God’s truth was revealed in human form. Then we saw that John presents Christ as the light of the world. The only true light of life that shines into the heart of man to reveal the gospel of truth. Light also reveals the depth of darkness that is present in the heart of man. The more I know of God’s word, the more I understand His majesty and righteousness; the more I recognize my utter depravity. As I begin to understand His righteousness, I realize that my best efforts of human righteousness are just filthy rags in comparison. Next, we see John write, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He has presented Christ as the Word, the one true light and the portrait of glory. He goes on to say that “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father hath declared Him” (John 1:18)

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GLORY REVEALED

God had even told Moses that no man could see the fullness of His Glory and live, so that Moses was hidden in a cleft of the rock when God passed by so Moses could see a glimpse of Him. Yet God sent His only begotten son, full of glory to provide the means for mankind’s salvation. In the redemptive work of Christ we see diverse aspects of God’s Glory. We are able to see God’s perfect righteousness displayed.

Continue reading “What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?”

How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

Christ commands us in Matthew 5:13-16 to be salt and light to the world; yet, how do we as Christians do that? We jump out of bed, scurry off to work, and for the most part live lives filled with chaos. We have responsibilities surrounding us. Dinner must be cooked, the meeting at school, the family obligations, and in our hurry-scurry world where is there time to be the beacon of light to the world around us? And salt? How can we add savor to life when we are barely surviving each day ourselves?

light shine

[bctt tweet=”CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. THE LIGHT OF LIFE ETERNAL”].

Didn’t John in the beginning of his gospel say that the only true light was Jesus? “6 [p]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This same came for a witness, to bear witness of that light, that all men[q]through him might believe.8 He was not [r]that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.9 [s]This was [t]that true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1 NIV). John had just introduced Jesus as the Word (God’s Promise, God’s Oath and God’s truth) to the world. Then John said that Jesus was the only true light of the world. Not even John the Baptist could be the true light; yet, John was to “bear witness of the one true light.”

[bctt tweet=”My only hope of being a light that shines in a darkened world is Jesus in me. “]“5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4).

FRAGILE, BROKEN VESSELS OF LIGHT

Herein lies the mystery. It is sometimes in the very midst of our chaos, in our trials, and in our sorrows that these fragile vessels are able to allow the light of Christ to shine forth. Through the scars and the cracks of our own lives, Christ’s light becomes brighter. Our hearts become softened, gentler, and able to stretch for with love and kindness.  When I am a light that shines in mid-day sun, no one can see me or be drawn toward Christ’s light. If I am a light of hope in darkness only then can I be seen by men and they be drawn toward Christ. In the deepest darkest valleys, Christ can shine forth before me, surrounding me and through me.

HOW CAN I BE THAT BEACON OF LIGHT?

1. Keep my eyes focused on Christ. The only way to do that is through prayer and reading His word daily. He is the only true source of light. All that other stuff that we think must come first, actually gets done in less time if we begin and end our day with God. We don’t lose time, we gain time. Try it.

2. Let His love fill my heart and guide me to love. Without Him I cannot love as I should love. My heart tends to become occupied with self, so I need to be filled with His spring of living water. I need the very essence of God’s love to overflow through me by allowing the Holy Spirit in me to reign supreme. How? Each morning ask God to guide you in love. Simple, but true. He will when we ask.

3. Recognize that our struggles are opportunities to shine God’s light of truth to the world. Our reaction to trials changes when we see them through the eyes of God.

4. Trust God to guide your every step. He will transform you into the likeness of Christ as He has promised.

5.  Savor Christ and His joy will light up the world around you.  Then you will be both salt and light to the world.

[bctt tweet=”Christ is the true light, I must lay aside myself to let Him shine through the cracks of…”]this fragile vessel of mine.

Have you a story about when your hope in darkness was like a light?  Click here to tell me your story.  I would love to hear from you.

The song I chose for you to enjoy today.  Light of the World

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

Photograph used by permission ©123ref/yelenayemchuk

New International Version (NIV)

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©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the 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 Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.