When I first received the call, I knew I would have to go.  My dear, precious son on the line said, “Mom, I need you.”  With no hesitation, I hung up knowing that I would be moving there.  Love commanded that I go.  When God commanded 5 1/2 years ago that I move to Columbia, MO, I said yes.  Then, I waited for all the doors to open.  Well, that time; God awoke my heart to know that I was to take a leap of faith with no nets to catch me.  I am so glad I did.  My life is filled with wonderful things.  I love my job, my patients, the doctors I work with, my time alone with God and my Bible each morning, my son, grandchildren, school and all of you.

Wow! I could go on forever saying how wonderful my life is, filled with joy and peace; because, I obeyed.

Perhaps, for that reason; when the gravity of the move at my age set in-a moment of panic hit.  I looked at all I had and a piece of my heart wanted to cling to all that is familiar.  God, suddenly revealed the truth that at the center of my heart, I had not been perfected yet in love.  What if Christ had hesitated or said, “Hold on, I don’t know that I want to do this. Leave my perfect place at God’s side, surrounded by perfect joy and peace, to go where He would be mocked, hated, and crucified.

A TIME UNKNOWN

This time, instead of me hesitating; at least not now.  Love did win, as God began to transform my heart and drain the selfish chaff.  He reminded me that obedience brought all that I have now and He is in Sovereign control of my future as well.  Obedience does lead to His perfect plan for my life.  However, this time; He has asked me to wait for His perfect timing and not to run ahead.  Once the decision is made, it is hard to wait patiently; but, I shall rest in His Grace to show me when.  So, keep me in your prayers as well.

Because of all this:  I wrote this poem today.  Never forget, God is constantly at work in your heart and mine to transform us into the image of Christ.  He will perfect us in love, as we listen to His commands and follow Him.

PERFECT IN LOVE

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Perfect in love, oh how can that be

When bits of my heart think only of me

I bid you now Lord, to set my heart free

From selfish desires, only then I can see

The cost of your love for my liberty

To an old rugged cross, you went willingly

Leaving your throne, your comfort and glee

You chose the pain with humility

You counted it joy to die on that tree

My redemption to buy, that was your decree

To offer forgiveness, that was your plea

Though I was the one, hands and heart guilty

You left everything with no thought to flee

You ran to my side providing for me

A chance to see You in all Your Glory

Wrapped in Your love eternally

 

So, now that I hear your voice bid me go

To places unknown, Your Glory to show

To hearts shattered, broken whose lights lost their glow

The pains and the sorrows of life made them low

My Precious Lord, how could I say no

Your perfect love commands I bestow

Upon them Your Love, as I’ve come to know

 

You go now beside me, You are my guide

In Your Perfect Love my heart will abide

 

Your perfect love casting out fear

Replacing it with Your Joy and Your cheer

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 Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Today we celebrate Easter. A celebration of the truth that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, conquering death and the consequences of sin; so that, we might walk for eternity with Him.  That is, all who believe and accept this Gracious gift so freely given.  Our Glorious King is Risen Indeed.  The Glory of God never shone so bright as Jesus willingly took upon Himself our sin and shame, as I pointed out in the last post.  Yet, the story did not end there.   It only began as a new day, a new covenant by which sinful man can be forgiven by faith; because of God’s grace.  For Jesus Christ on the third day rose from the grave, victorious over sin and death.  In Christ, we have new life! I wrote this poem yesterday to express that truth.

My Glorious King

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

My Sovereign Lord and King

Who joins me in my suffering

He’s ever present at my side

That in His joy I might abide

 

My Glorious King hung on a cross

And never thought about His loss

By reason of His love for me

He paid my price, my penalty

 

So, willingly He left His throne

That I might never be alone

And when this life brings pain and tears

He’s there to quiet all my fears

 

He took upon Himself my strife

To give to me eternal life

He cloaked me in His righteousness

That I might know His love and bliss

 

And on that cross His Glory shone

And ne’er a victim, did bemoan

His fate He chose with open arms

To free me from my own sin’s harms

 

He rose again, oh Glorious Day

To bring me life and light the way

That ever present I might be

Wrapped in His love eternally

 

And thus, it is, I love Him so

That willingly I to must go

Where ever He would bid me to

For He is all that I pursue

 

He is the treasure that I seek

The strength I need, for I am weak

He is the love my heart desires

The only one my soul requires

Ephesians 2: (AMP)

And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, ² in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. ³ Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of ^[a]human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. 

⁴ But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). ⁶ And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, ⁷ [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].

 ⁸ For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

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.

CREDITS

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Feature Photo from Goodsalt.com and used by permission.  It is subject to copyright laws