Spiritual Warfare is real.  Christians face demonic attack every day.  Indeed, those attacks  intensify whenever we are winning battles.  Satan, the supreme liar and accuser of the brethren wants to destroy your testimony and mine.  Paul spends the first three  and ½ chapters of the letter “Ephesians” describing in detail the position every Christian hold in Christ.  Then, Paul writes concerning characteristics of the Christian walk.  Finally, he ends in Chapter 6 describing the Spiritual Battle every Christian must face.  The battle is raging in the Spiritual Realm beyond our sight; however, it also rages within our minds and thoughts.  The order presented by Paul was not coincidental.  Before, you and I can win this Spiritual Warfare happening in our minds; we must know our position in Christ.  Victory is ours; because, Jesus won that victory at Calvary.

For me, the same proved true.  My salvation certainly remained secure from the moment I first accepted Christ as my Savior; however, in the day to day battles often I met defeat.  I tried harder, studied intensely, pleaded forgiveness and promised that I would do better.  Alas, I would advance 10 steps and fall back 12.  Satan attacked relentlessly in the recesses of my mind.  As the liar and accuser that he is; Satan whispered: “God can’t possibly really love you after all your failures.  You will never be good enough!  Why do you keep writing, God won’t use you to help anyone!  Aha, look you failed again!  Why would God Bless you?  Maybe this is God’s punishment; after all, that is what you deserve:  NOTHING!”  On and on Satan would rant, sometimes shouting in my thoughts until I would throw up my hands in defeat.

Not anymore, I have learned how to raise my hand and firmly say, “Satan, You ARE a liar!  I am God’s Blessed, Chosen Beloved Child.  So, shut up Satan, I have work to do for my Father.”

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN OUR THOUGHTS

Continue reading How to Win Spiritual Warfare: Knowing Your Position →

On Mother’s Day we honor our mothers in many ways.  I wanted to take a moment to speak to all those mothers young and old who are truly afraid of the responsibility or who feel they blew it somehow along the way; because God doesn’t want you afraid or sorrowful.  Being a mother is not as “naturally” easy as some want to say; because, remember God’s promise to eve?”in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.” Furthermore, childbirth is referred to as travail (hard toil) in scripture. Along with motherhood , comes all the fears, fatigue, sacrifices and trials. We seldom look like Ms. Cleaver who had all the answers.  Instead, life is riddled with trials, hardships. Beyond that, families face a myriad of difficult decisions along the way.  Most mothers fear, “What if really I scar them for life?”

Often, we don’t want to voice those fears; not even to ourselves.  Let me tell you, as a 62 year mother of three incredible children and 5 beautiful grandchildren.  I blew it, more often than, I got it right!  If, I looked back at every mistake I made raising my children; well, we would be here for months, if not years.  Still, this I know!  God’s Grace is big enough to cover all our mistakes; if only, we rest in Him.  Furthermore, He chose you for a purpose.  Whether you gave your child to someone you thought better fit to raise your child or you raised them yourself, God can and will work it all out for His Glory and Your good; if you turn it over to Him.

ISAIAH 41:10  (TLB)

Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed.  I am your God. I will strengthen you; help you; and  uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Fear not; because God is with you.  Don’t despair; because God is Your Sovereign Lord and King.  He will be your strength, when you have none.  Your faith is anchored within His victorious, righteous right hand; never, to be let go.  He works all things together for your good.  Furthermore, I know this; because, I have seen Him do just that. He took all my broken pieces, mess ups and failures; then, He wrapped them with His love, Grace, and mercy.  He shook it all up, only to, reveal to me the magnificent finished product.  Because He loves each of my children more than I ever could imagine or try to; I can trust Him with the finished product.

A Mother’s Fear

I wish I could say that I was always right

Kept only your dreams and hopes within sight

And never turned my thoughts to seek for me

A life that brought you tears, instead of glee

Yet, if I face the truth, my darkest fears

I would weep a river of bitter tears

For the choices, I made that caused you pain

Scars from my words that replay and remain

 

God’s Grace Covered It All

Surprised, a man I met did say, “Your son!

He talks of you a lot, you are the one

Your son declares, who taught him grace”

A beam of purest joy lit up his face

As though he had met some celebrity

Although, standing in front of only me

Then I knew the truth of what God had done

His mercy touched the life of my dear son

 

I received a phone call another day

My other son’s voice with love did say

“Mom I know the person that you are

Your forgiveness and love reaching far

Into a broken world with strength you run

From dawn of day until setting sun

You taught me how by faith to live

Whatever comes, your grace to give

 

Then, I remembered my daughter dear

Who lived far away because of my fear

She was safer there, in her father’s arms

He would keep her free from all this life’s harms

To shield her eyes from seeing the abuse

I lived, at least that was my best excuse

Yet, it was God who restored her to me

My best friend, a lovely woman is she

Sovereign God of Grace

Oh, what a wondrous, Sovereign God of Grace

Who lead my children three to seek His face

The men and woman whom they have become

Are portraits of God’s own dear, beloved son

He let them see beyond all my mistakes

To find my heart of love that sometimes aches

Desiring for them lives free from all care

Morning and night, I bow to God in prayer

Each step I took, I tried to choose what’s best

Then trust a Sovereign God to do the rest

I learned this life would and could never be

A story perfected by someone like me

It always was God’s Grace that met me here

And for His Grace, I’ll sing loud and clear

Thank God, He chose these three to be

My children, my loves through eternity

Blessed Beyond Measure

I have been blessed beyond all measure

That God would be my greatest treasure

He loved me so much that at His pleasure

He bestowed upon me the chance to be

Mother to the most marvelous three

 

Concluding Thoughts:

Because God is at my side; I have nothing to fear.  He loves me with an everlasting love: therefore, I have nothing to despair of.  Because it is His pleasure to protect, provide for, and to guide each of my children; I can rest in His promises for them.  Paul wrote, “Laying aside the weight that so easily besets, and Forgetting that which is behind; I press for the mark of the prize of the high calling of God.”  Therefore, love your children with as much love as you are able; then, don’t worry.  For certain, one day you will remember a million things you need to seek forgiveness for and by God’s Grace they will.

Concluding Tweets:

[bctt tweet=”I have been blessed beyond all measure That God would be my greatest treasure” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”He loved me so much that at His pleasure He bestowed upon me the chance to be Mother to 3″ username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]It is God’s pleasure to protect provide 4 & to guide each of my children[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”God takes all my mess ups wraps them in His Grace, shakes it up & pours out beautiful” username=”effiedarlene”]

 

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.

 

 

 

 

©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.  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.

 

Perhaps in part due to my upbringing and the “legalism” taught concerning my Christian walk, I spent most of my years fearing God’s wrath.  As I struggled, failing to measure up in my eyes, God patiently and gently revealed through my own failures and many trials the truth of my position in Christ.  Many preachers fear preaching the truth of our Grace Position; because they think people will take advantage of God’s kindness by accepting grace and running after sin.  The truth is quite the opposite!  Those who truly understand their position in Christ, cling closer to Him and desire to please Him.  Anyone who would abuse God’s Grace, doesn’t really know God’s Grace.    Those moments in which I failed God horribly, came during times when I strove to please Him by working very hard in my own strength; never fully understanding my position held firm in Christ.

In Christ, I am God’s chosen, redeemed, Beloved Child; heir of the kingdom, servant by choice, warrior mighty in His Strength, declared Saint, new creation, gifted by God, united with purpose, and enlightened by His Word of truth.  Wow! Understanding this destroys my pride; because, I realize I can do none of this on my own.  Furthermore, at the same time; this knowledge raises within me the power to march on through any trial or difficulty this world confronts me with.

Some would say this is the power of positive thinking!  In a sense; maybe; only the power source does not come from my own mind.  Rather, the power source begins with God IS and my being exists only in HIM, without whom I am nothing.  Beginning with that premise, I draw closely, tightly into His bosom.  No more can I rely on my strength to bring Him feeble gifts made with my own hand.  David and Peter both learned that lesson through failure; and so did I. Continue reading How to Know Your Position IN Christ by Grace →

Abiding, steadfast joy penetrating the core of our hearts, no matter what storms arise in our lives. Isn’t that what we want?  That steady, unfailing hope allowing us to get up and move forward one step at a time.  Strength arising from knowing all is well, guiding our thoughts and minds and driving out all anxiety and depression.  You might say, “Impossible!”  I would have said the same; until, God changed my views of life.  He did so with many storms.  Some were a result of my own failures and inadequacies, lacking the understanding I needed to stand firm.  At other times, God sent unexpected storms; because He knew, through each one, i His Steady Guiding Hand was leading me to know Him better, closer. There, through the storms, I discovered the three truth foundations which give abiding, steadfast joy in life.

Over the past few weeks, we have looked at

TRUTH FOUNDATIONS #1 AND 2 FOR ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

Continue reading 3 Truth Foundations for Steadfast Joy in Your Life →

The reason or purpose why we do things, plays a more important role than what we do. Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood his stance against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Reich could cost him his life; but, he marched on.  Because he saw a higher purpose than himself, he fought against the regime. For this, he faced imprisonment and death.  Perhaps you might say, this is an extreme example of a higher purpose.  Yet, this driving force against injustice began years before as a seed in his heart.  He studied in the US for a time and fell in love with the Black Church.  He hated the injustice plaguing our country during those years.  That seed of seeking a higher purpose than his own comfort grew.  In 1933, when Hitler rose to power; Dietrich Bonhoeffer was willing to fight; because, he knew his purpose was greater than his own comfort.

There are a lot of books, seminars and thoughts surrounding the idea of purpose.  Often, others tell us purpose is something we drive our hearts and minds to obtain.  If only I could change my reason; then, I will gain what I wanted.  Can I change my heart?  Or is that something much bigger than I?

GOD SAID:

Continue reading How to Really Have Victory with Higher Purpose →