Humility-just when you think you have it: often, it has slipped from your heart. Humility plays a central role to our sense of well being and joy in life; however, it remains under attack by new liberal ideas and stands counter to our own “me-first thought patterns.”  Our natural thought pattern focuses around our own feelings, ideas, experiences, and responses to the world around us; while always searching for purpose, meaning and happiness within the confines of our own emotions and thoughts.  Yet, our self-absorption leads to isolation followed by frustration and anger.  In contrast, the central message of the gospel compels us to humility; but, how can a self-centered, egocentric heart ever truly develop humility and why does it matter?  How can humility be central to our happiness and true success in this world? Paul urges us to look to Jesus.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

TRUE HUMILITY

Continue reading Humility How to Develop and Why It Matters →

My life journey lead me through many valleys of despair.  From abuse, to widowhood, loneliness, breast cancer, chronic auto-immune disease leading to multiple abdominal surgeries; I spent much of my life believing that just around the next corner, I would found the mountaintop that surely God wanted me to reach.  However, as time passed; I realized that deep within each valley, I felt God’s presence drawing me closer to Him.  The darkness of the valley, allowed me to see the brightness of His Glory, His light.  Therefore, I learned to cherish the valleys of life as gifts of God’s Grace.

That truth also fits my ministry.  When I first heard God’s voice call me to write and to speak for Him; of certain, I believed He had the power to transform me and use me to spread the gospel to thousands. Perhaps I would become the next Beth Moore, or Lysa Terkeurst; but, He did need another Beth or Lysa; because He needed just me to willingly minister to whomever He desires.  Often, I don’t know whose lives these writings are meant to touch.  Merely, I obey; by continuing to write and leave the rest in the Hands of My Master and Savior.  Teaching at Juvenile Jail, touching lives one at a time, the children’s ministry at church, and reaching into the lives of men who lost there way for a time through a ministry outreach; fills my life with God’s Joy and hope.

HERE IN THIS VALLEY, WHERE GOD KNOWS MY NAME

I’d rather stay in this valley, where God knows my name than to be anywhere else on earth; because, His presence fills this valley.  Furthermore, I don’t know where He will send me tomorrow; but, I will follow, where ever that may be.  A few times along this journey, I was uncertain whether tomorrow I would have a home.  Maybe, I had given away too much, or failed to manage well enough; either way, money became scarce and no miracle came.  The surgeries drained my energy and my finances; still, I always found the strength to work, somehow.

I remember, one such moment; while Mom lived with me; because, I supported her as well.  Panicked, she questioned me, “what if we end up on the street?”  I replied, “If God wants me homeless on the street corner, then I will proclaim His praise from that street corner.  Maybe, that is the ministry He needs me most to perform.”  Staring at me as though I had lost my mind; she replied, “Well, they would probably be able to put me in a nursing home, I hope!”  I replied, “Yes, mom; I guess you don’t want to be on that street corner with me.”  She said, “No”.  Well, God didn’t call me to live on that street, at least not yet.

On this poetry Sunday, I wanted to share with you this poem I wrote several years ago.

GIVE ME THIS VALLEY

I cried, Lord, please help me climb

This mountain so sublime

Full of health and wealth and fame

Surely there I’d praise your name

 

But I heard a whispering voice

Said, for you that’s not my choice

I want you in this valley deep

Where there your joy my heart will keep

 

Lord, you can take that mountain high

And let me stay here by your side

In this valley filled with pain

Where I know you know my name

 

Give me a life where I might live

Dependent on the Grace you give

I’d rather be here by your side

Than on that great mountainside

Give me the faith and hope that’s yours

As Your spirit through me pours

To a world in need of you

Give me strength for them to view

Let me show the Glory of Your Hope

Far from that slippery slope

In the valley where you stand

Let me walk and hold Your hand

 

Though the Valley may be dark

You’re the light, my precious spark

You are all I need to know

Let me walk now here below

 

Give me the warmth of Your great smile

That casts aside my selfish guile

Remove my thoughts of pettish pity

That Your heart I might see clearly

 

You are the only one I need

For my soul you have now freed

By the valley that You walked

To the cross where you were mocked

 

So let me walk this valley too

Where there your heart I knew

Keep your mountains filled with pride

Let me stay here at Your side.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

I don’t know what valley you face today; however, I do know God loves you with an everlasting love and wants to bring you into a close relationship with Him.  Do you know Him as Your Heavenly Father? Have you accepted the gift of salvation He offers you by the sacrificial atoning death of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; because, He willing took all your guilt and shame upon Himself at Calvary.

 

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity Jeremiah 29:11-14

CONCLUDING TWEETS

[tweetthis]So let me walk this valley too Where there your heart I knew[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Though the Valley may be dark You’re the light, my precious spark You are all I need to know” username=”effiedarlene”]

If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here

 

Newest Release

This newly released book, I dedicated to anyone who searched for love, lost a loved one, or felt the pangs of loneliness. It is a poem, I wrote reflecting my own search for love, beautifully illustrated by Ronald Barba, Most importantly, the book displays the story of God’s ever abiding love even when facing tragedy and heartbreak.  Available on Amazon.

Other books I wrote can be reviewed at:

Book resources

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION OF ARTIST

This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .

You cannot copy or duplicate this picture without permission; because of copyright laws.

 

 

 

featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of  Aleksandr Kozlovskii on Unsplash

©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.

Sitting in prison, Paul the apostle noted that some of those preaching the gospel of Christ did so out of envy, pride and a heart toward self-exaltation.  Some desired to gain publicity and power within the new church. Because of jealousy, they preached against Paul, as though he deserved his imprisonment.   My guess, they preached a form of the prosperity gospel, to gain popularity among the people. Yet, Paul did not let their hard hearts reduce His joy that, at least-they did preach Jesus for salvation.  Paul realized that we cannot know the heart of every preacher.  At least, not completely. However, God does and stands as final judge of the heart. Therefore, we must not get caught up in jealousy in the ministry of Christ.

That can be very hard; because, we look around and see other ministries prospering while ours struggles financially.  Sometimes, we wonder (or at least I do at times); if perhaps, my humble ministry of writing has any value.  When I see so many ministries that flourish financially or whose numbers rise to reach millions; I ask myself, should I quit writing and instead invest my money in other ministries, instead of sacrificing so much for this one.  Ah, but then there comes a message, one person whose life changed or touched by my humble ministry; a reminder that God sends to tell me–this ministry is His. Furthermore, this ministry is not about me: it is about Jesus Christ and His gospel message for the world.  Therefore, I keep writing and will leave the harvest to God, Himself.

THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST PROCLAIMED

Continue reading How to Avoid Jealousy in The Ministry of Christ →

The young church at Philippi heard of Paul’s imprisonment, sent Epaphroditus to comfort him, along with money and gifts. Certainly, a sacrificial act; however, they soon discovered that Epaphroditus fell ill.  How could a loving God allow such a thing?  Why would God allow Paul to be imprisoned and even possibly face death for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  When is the Price too great to pay to spread the gospel message?  Yet, Paul responds in his letter, “never!”  The cost is never too great to pay for the eternal salvation of one soul.  Jesus, certainly taught us that truth!  Our life upon this earth, our journey reflects a mere second in time compared to eternity. One blink of the eye and this life could be over.  So, we must ask ourselves, “Is the price ever too great for the salvation of one soul?”

Truly, the lesson my life taught me; yet, my sacrifices never compared to those of Paul.  Furthermore, Paul would say his sacrifice paled in comparison to that of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Jesus left His majestic throne, to walk humbly among mankind; willingly taking upon Himself all the shame, guilt, and punishment that we so deserved; in order to save us from our sins and cloak us with His righteousness; that, we might be adopted into the family of God.

THE PRICE SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF GRACE

Continue reading When Is the Price Too Great to Pay? →

Our journey through life, at times filled with sorrows, pain and moments of distress; while we travel through an anxious world.  Sometimes, we think this moment is the worst that could be in history; what with terrorism, oppression of Christians in many parts of the world, anger and violence here in the USA, disrespect of the law and the President by hearts filled with hate.  However, when we look back over time; we see that following Jesus Christ always came with a price.  Sometimes, the anxious world in which our hearts live remains ever close: worries about finances, fighting within families, loneliness, and feelings of rejection encircle our lives. Sometimes we live in prisons of our own making.  What can we do? Paul prayed one sincere prayer of Joy to the church of Philippi during one of their most anxious times.

Let us learn from this prayer and the letter Paul wrote to this early church.  Of all the churches which Paul had planted, the church of Philippi followed with great sincerity; despite, the very harsh road that lay before them.  They had seen Paul imprisoned, even before their eyes for preaching the gospel.  Furthermore, now he again wrote to them from prison.  This time, the prison cell in Rome, far from their watchful eye.  It had been 10 years since they saw him; yet, because of their faith and love, they remained faithful.  Gathering what money, they could, they sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul.  But, alas; he fell sick during that stay and they became anxious for his recovery.  So, in the center of an anxious world; Paul wrote the letter to the church at Philippi to bring comfort and reaffirm joy; despite his own imprisonment.

BEGINNING WITH THANKS AND EXHORTATION

Continue reading One Sincere Prayer of Joy For An Anxious World →