Effie Darlene Barba

Life so often is filled with moments of sorrow or even despair.  We look around us and see so much darkness in the world.  The human journey on this earth is filled with sorrows, fighting, and disappointments.  All too often, as we look around us; we see men and women searching for meaning and hope in whatever manner they can.  Each searching to find their identity.  We search for peace; yet, are surrounded by wars, fighting, and personal struggles; seeking to find answers within ourselves, where none can be found.  However, it was into such a world; that Christ came.  The light of the world came to shine forth into our world of darkness, to bring hope into our hopelessness.

Mankind would like to say that this is it.  We are born, we live and then we die.  Yet, our soul yearns for infinity.  We search for freedom; yet, live lives filled with necessity.  C.S. Lewis once wrote: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  Therein lies the truth.  Our souls yearn for God, our creator; yet, we live in a world broken by sin.  So, is there hope to live our lives in this broken world with an abiding, steadfast joy that rises above our circumstances.  That, I can confirm to be yes.

Light in the Midst of Darkness

Continue reading “How to Find Light in the Midst of Darkness”

Along this journey of life, we place upon ourselves so many goals.  Wanting to show our success at work, our family, our schoolwork, our finances, and in “who we are.”  We press to be known, even if only in our own little circle.  Striving always to reach the top.  Wanting our identity to rise above the crowd.  Even in our Christian walk, we work hard to prove our worthiness; boasting in even our sacrifices for Christ.  All too often, in striving to prove our worthiness; we run to and from one area of service to another.  Always afraid to slow down; because, deep within we fear someone might see our utter unworthiness. We hide the blemishes, the frailties, the fears, and the doubt.  Yet, Paul tells us nothing matters; but, to Glory in the Cross of Christ.  Laying aside our desire for self-glory, to glory in the Cross Alone.

 

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

 

How do we do that?  Certainly, it does not mean that we sit down and do nothing; but, it gets to the heart of the matter.  Why am I doing or striving to achieve?  What is my ultimate goal?  Is it that I might be noticed?  Or instead, recognizing my own frailty; is all that I do pointing toward the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? Key to that, is Jesus Christ Lord of my life?  Am I willing to surrender it all, that He might shine forth Gloriously?  Does my heart truly say, “in Him I live, I breathe, I move, and I find my being” (Acts 17:28 paraphrased); while knowing, “without Him, I can do nothing” (John 15:5)?

 

Glory of the Cross Alone by Grace

Continue reading “How to Live in The Glory of the Cross Alone”

This journey of life at times causes our hearts to grow weary; particularly during those times when God asks us to wait.  Trials and sorrows come, while at times it seems our prayers go unanswered.  We may face financial distress, illness, family crisis, or difficulties at work.  We pray, tithe, read our Bible and wait.  Sometimes, instead of seeing God’s clear direction or plan in the midst of our distress; we grow weary and wonder if He will answer.  Yet, even during those periods of life when we cannot see His hand working, He is.  He is there, and we can trust that His plan is for our good.  During those long periods when it seems too hard, these seven steps can help you to not grow weary and by faith to know steadfast joy even during the hard times.

 

Paul wrote to the Galatians concerning this and we must look at the verses preceding as well and ask ourselves, “Do we really believe God’s promise?”

 

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:7-9).

 

Weary, because

Continue reading “How to Not Grow Weary by Faith”

During this journey as Christians, there are times when we fail.  Perhaps we took our eyes off of Jesus or laid aside our Bible and prayer for a season.  At other times, we may have just lost our way; the flesh winning the battle.  It may have begun with a seed of pride; thinking, we would never do that, then we did.  We may have responded to a situation with anger.  Furthermore, we may have thought we could withstand the temptation alone, never falling prostrate before God to cry, “I can’t do this on my own”.  One example of that was Peter when he denied Christ.  He thought that it would never happen; yet, it did.  Knowing our own frailty, what are we to do to help a fallen Christian, another brother or sister in Christ to stand when they have fallen?

 

Paul had just finished writing to the Galatians about the need to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.  Because of the Grace they were given, leading to Salvation; they must be mindful of how to walk in Grace as well.  Although, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death; we still have a sin nature to which we must die daily, that Christ might live through us.  The Holy Spirit works to transform our hearts, removing the chaff one piece at a time.  Revealing to us our own frailties and blotches, so that we might become more like Christ.  We must be mindful of that when we see another Christian fall, reaching out a hand of love to help them up.  All too often we tend to in our own pride, cast them aside; forgetting it is God’s Grace Alone that saved them and us.

 

Galatians 6: 1-6

 

“Brethern, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another for every man shall bear his own burden.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

 

It must be with love and humility, that we reach out our hand to help another who has fallen into sin.  Our human nature tends to look down upon them with pride in our own heart; which, we must not.

 

Although the above scripture appears to have a controversy between bearing another’s burden and our need to bear our own; yet, it does not, as the Liberty Bible Commentary explains.

 

“No contradiction exists between verses 2 and 5.  The Greek word for burdens in verse 2 is baros, there meaning moral weakness—a burden too heavy for one to bear alone.  The word for burden in verse 5 is phortion, meaning a personal responsibility that can and should be borne by the individual.  Instead of comparing one’s virtues with the moral blemishes of another, one is to compare himself with his own achievements against the backdrop of the responsibility given him by God.”[1]

 

Helping a Fallen Christian to Stand

 

How do we help a fallen Christian to stand? We must reach out our hand in love and humility, walk beside them, be willing to listen, and gently teach them how to let the Holy Spirit fill them. Be willing to share the battles you have fought with openness.  Tell them how it was God’s Grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ that helped you to overcome your own frailties.

 

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

Accused, Condemned in eyes of men

Rejected, hated for my sin

No one stopped to see my heart

Cast aside some broken part

That no one cared to see inside

The scars and sorrows that abide

A heart so filled with hopes and dreams

Of meadows green and crystal streams

Lay shattered, broken cast away

With nothing good or kind to say

Chorus

Then God’s Dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

How quickly men’s own selfish pride

Does cast away and cast aside

A fallen one—a broken heart

Who needs your hand to help them start?

Christ had come to heal the lame

To lift their guilt and take their shame

He called the sinners to His side

To know His love-in Him abide

So why do we not give our hand

To help a fallen one to stand

So, prideful man with heart so small

Be careful lest you too shall fall

Chorus

For it was God’s dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

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.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

JUST RELEASED

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

Recently released Books Available

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.

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, 2017
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

 

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

[1] Jerry Falwell, ed., The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988), 1823

Paul very clearly wrote: “This I say then, ‘Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

So, the question arises; how do you do just that?  How does one walk in the Spirit, turning away from sin while at the same time being freed from the law?  Do you do that by working hard to constrain your own fleshly desires? Certainly, before you were saved by grace you could not do that on your own.  Neither can you of your own volition live a life of righteousness; however, you are no longer on your own if you abide in Christ.  In Christ, because of His Completed Work on the Cross and His resurrection, you are freed from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1 and Romans 8:2). Furthermore, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you to guide you.

 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are declared righteous by God.  Covered by the blood of Christ, we are cloaked in His righteousness (Philippians 3:9).  This is not a righteousness of our own.  Unfortunately, the human nature within us yearns toward self-exaltation and pride.  Therefore, all too often; we want to prove our own worthiness of this free gift of Grace we were given. We, once more; try to live this Christian life by our own power and therein we fail.  If my only hope of Salvation is by grace through faith; so, is my walk.

 

The Flesh Versus the Spirit

 

There is a war that goes on within us.  Paul wrote in detail about that war in Romans 7.  Our only hope to live forth this righteousness which we are so freely given is by yielding to the Spirits control in us, putting to death our own desire to self.  We need to realize and embrace this new identity we have been given in Christ Jesus.

 

 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:11-17

 

How do I yield to the Spirit?  How do I reckon myself dead to the flesh? I can only do that by spending time alone with God through prayer and trusting Him to complete the work He began in me.  The only way is to lean into Jesus Christ, acknowledging my utter helplessness with Him.

 

Why Walk in the Spirit?

 

Because the fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22).  Isn’t that what our hearts desire?  Does anyone want to be known by their anger, frustration, and failures?  We want to be loved; but, when our flesh is on the throne, we find ourselves in despair; believing that no one understands us.  Then, in our own attempt to win love, we are frustrated.  Yet, when we dethrone “self” and place Jesus on the throne, our hearts change from the inside out.  As we come to know Him and love Him for all He has done for us, His love and joy fills us.  We learn to abide in Him, trust in Him, and our view of the world changes us.

 

Our view of circumstances changes as we come to “know that all things work together for good for them that love God, for those who are called unto His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  No longer are we frustrated, in misery; because, we know that God “is and that He is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:8).  God is in Control as the great I AM and He has my best interest in mind.  Everything, He works together for my good; knowing exactly what is needed to transform my heart and to blot out the dark spots in my heart, so that I can find peace and joy in Him.  Dying to self, that He might live in us and through us.  Only there do we find our true Being (identity) in Him.

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.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

JUST RELEASED

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

Recently released Books Available

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.

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, 2017
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

 

Photo by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash