All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).  “Sheep are notorious creatures of habit.  If let to themselves the will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites.”[1]  How much like sheep we humans truly are!  We follow the crowd, even to our own demise; stubbornly determined to do our will.  Believing we know what is best, our selfish, self-exalting nature determinately destroy the pastures we have so graciously been given. Yet, He leads us.

“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).  A good shepherd watches his flock with diligent care.  He knows the pitfalls. Also, he knows their natural tendency to stay put until the pasture is destroyed beyond repair, covered with parasites and deep ruts from the sheep continuously walking the same path that they created.  Even then they remain feeding on the infested land until even the roots are destroyed.  “The greatest safeguard that the shepherd has in handling his flock is to keep them on the move.  That is to say, they dare not be left on the same ground too long.”[2]

God knows that when left to our own, we would perish.  He leads us forward in paths of righteousness, lest we become complacent and flounder where we are. There may be valleys or rugged hills to cross, getting to the new pasture; but, He is leading us every step of the way.

He Leads

God has not left us alone.  He has provided the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us along this journey.  Furthermore, He will not leave us where He has found us.  “For whom He did foreknow, He did also predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

He takes it upon Himself to complete the work He began in us. Patiently, He sifts away the chaff, chips away the hardness of our heart, and transforms us from the inside out.  To do so, He must be constantly leading us forward.  Growing steadily in the knowledge of Him as He leads us in the paths of righteousness.

  Ephesians 1:3-12

            Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

For His Name’s Sake

            God has put His own name on the line.  “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself” (Hebrews 6:13).  He provided all that we needed for our redemption and He will accomplish all that He has planned in our sanctification as well.  We cannot, of our own accord, become righteous.  Only He can complete the work of transforming us into the likeness of the Son.  Which may require that we follow Him through some very rugged paths on our way to new pastures.  Yet, we must not remain stagnant at any place too long; or we will wither in our faith and our testimony.

How to Follow

1. Trust the Shepherd.  Wherever He leads, He knows what is best for you.  He knows your fears, sorrows, and weaknesses.
2. Study His Word daily.
3. Spend time alone with Him each day.
4. Recognize that every rugged path is the shepherd leading you to new pasture; where you will grow in His Grace. Be thankful for that truth, when it appears you have nothing else to be grateful for.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts  comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written: please click on this link  Book Resources.

You can find all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there

Or for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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 except for my own books. 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.

Footnotes and Credits:

[1] Phillip Keller, A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23, in The Inspirational Writings of Phillip Keller, (New York, NY: Inspirational Press, 1993), 58.

[2] Ibid.,59.

Photo by FOYN on Unsplash

Anyone following my website would know that this week, many things went wrong with my posts.  It has taken all week to get it at least partially fixed.  Still, I am uncertain how or why it all got changed around and turned upside down.  I noticed first that the cellphone version wasn’t working.  That I found out was due to the PHP needing to be upgraded (whatever a php is?).  Got that fixed with some help from the host.  Then, I the continue reading button seemed to have broken.  So, what do you do when it all falls apart? Are we to just quit and sit down in frustration?  Do we question God as to whether He is sending us in a different direction?  Or question if He is angry?  Searching our hearts for some answer.

Perhaps for some, something so simple as maintaining a website would seem such a unimportant triviality.  After all, I make no money from this website nor even my books for that matter.  All of it is at a cost.  Yet, every time over the years when I considered shutting it all down or believing that it is unimportant in the scheme of things; someone would reach out to me.  Some were encouraged and some even saved by God’s grace.  Not that God needs me or this website; however, He can use even my sometimes stammering words or imperfect text to do His work.  His only request is that I be willing to do whatever He asks of me and let Him do the rest.

WHEN IT ALL FALLS APART

Continue reading What do you do when it all falls apart? →

Jehovah Rapha, my healer, “restoreth my soul” (Psalm 23:2).  The Good Shepherd is my healer.  Psalm 22 and 23 are referred to as Messianic Psalms as they point us to Christ Jesus.  Psalm 22 began with, “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?”  These are the same words spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross when all our sin and shame were laid upon His shoulders.  The perfect, righteous son of God abandoned for a moment in time.  Separated from God the Father and the Holy Spirit. God’s wrath was poured out upon His Beloved Son on our behalf.  That by faith in His finished work on the cross we might have our soul restored to God by Grace alone.

He is the healer of our soul, cleansing us from all guilt, though we are guilty. Jesus Christ willingly paid the price, was for a moment forsaken, so that we who accept His gift of salvation might never be forsaken.  Our soul restored to a perfect, eternal relationship with God; because, Jesus Christ redeemed us from our sin.  A few moments after crying out to the Father, Jesus said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Trusting fully that the Father would raise Him from the dead, He died upon the cross, that we might live with Him eternally.

A Soul Restored

Because of sin, our soul is in an eternal state of separation from God until we accept His gift of salvation.  To have our soul restored, we need only believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.  God, Himself paid the price that we might be redeemed. Therein, we might have our soul restored to the place it was created for, eternally in His presence with a loving relationship with our Creator.

Do you ever feel lost, abandoned, or alone?  Come to Jesus, and have your soul restored! He has promised to never leave you.  Even in those moments when you feel He has left you, He is ever present.  “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:15-17).

Whatever sorrow or grief you may face, you are never alone, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior.  With your soul restored, you may rejoice. Nothing can ever again separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35).  “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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” (Romans 8:38-39).

The Good Shepherd restoreth your soul to the place of eternal presence with Him. If only you accept His gift of salvation.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts  comment here

Just released:

Do You Want to Know the Secret to Abiding Steadfast Joy?

ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.

ANOTHER Book Available

God called upon a layman to “Build That Wall” around Jerusalem in 444 B.C. Nehemiah had no former political position, nor was he among the spiritually elite. He held a comfortable prestigious position in the royal palace of the Persian King Artaxerxes. Yet, God called him out, to leave his comfort behind and to go to build the wall for his people. He met with great opposition, political corruption, and threats; yet, he stands out as a great leader.  This is an in-depth study of Nehemiah, followed by an apologetic argument discussing “the Evil within Our own nation”, how we let it in and what we must do now as Christians.

You can find this and all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

Or for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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 except for my own books. 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.

Footnotes and Credits:

Art work by Ron