All too often, because we get so busy about our life, our desires or even our trials; we focus on self instead of focusing on God.  As we do, we become more distraught, angry, or depressed with the world around us.  Sometimes, we stand demanding that it is the fault of everyone else; when, in truth, it is our own lack of Grace.  You see, I cannot overflow with God’s Joy, Grace, or Love; unless, I actively am coming to His Fountain of Living water to be filled.  If I truly love Him, I will seek and savor Him; above all else. My prayer would be: Lord, Open My Eyes each day that I might see You as my greatest treasure.

Furthermore, God will not leave His Children there in the desert parched for Him.  He will do whatever it takes to rip our hands free from those things we clutch so tightly to of this world; so, that, we might focus on Him. God knows He is our ONLY hope of Joy, Love, Peace, and Glory!  There is nothing on this earth that can truly satisfy our soul, apart from Him.

A QUESTION OF LOVE

So, the question truly is: Do I love God?  If so, wouldn’t I want to spend time alone with Him every chance I get? When I get too busy with the cares of this world, I will become anxious, withdrawn and distraught.  Furthermore, fears will begin to overtake my life.  However, when I am focused on Him; even the storms of this life cannot steal my joy, hope and faith.

My heart bleeds for those of this world who do not know Him.  I cannot imagine a day without God’s loving Spirit to comfort me.  It is no wonder so many have no idea how to display tolerance, love, or kindness; though, this is all they speak of wanting in the world.  Without God, how can they understand?

This is why I wrote for you today this song. Continue reading LORD, Open My Eyes Each Day to See-A Song →

In our modern world, we are told that we must stand up for our rights. Don’t let anyone push you around!  Speak out! Fight back! After all, if you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will. However, there is a grave problem with this ideology.  When it is devoid of God; it becomes merely a self-aggrandizing rhetoric that leads to hate, selfishness, and anger.  Unless touched by the Grace and Love of God in our hearts, we sound like a bunch of grumblers.  Grumblers may at first appear to have a message; yet, no one wants to listen to grumblers for long; because, their words become increasingly self-centered and full of hate.  Whining, grumbling, and temper tantrums cause others to ultimately close their ears.  At some point no message is heard.

Beyond that, the grumbler himself or herself grows increasingly more frustrated with life.  Locked into an ideology built on self-worth and pride, the grumbler always sees the world through eyes of “I deserve better.” They become increasingly inept at seeing acts of kindness and grace; while, at the same time becoming less grateful for what they have.  Grumblers become sometimes militants who riot with no true message or they withdraw into depression; never, realizing they are truly blessed.  God, in His Sovereignty, gives great gifts even to those who do not believe.  It is His gracious hand that suspends the earth in its rotation, allows the beauty of the night sky, and provides each act of kindness we meet in this world.  He holds steady His Hand of Final Judgement while seeking to draw one more soul to a saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ.

GRUMBLERS WITHOUT AND WITHIN

Continue reading And the Grumblers Win! Not Really! Are You? →

Are you facing any trials today?  Do you have any worries that seem to overwhelm your heart and mind?  So often, we try to push them aside; because we really don’t want others to know.  After all, what would people think if they knew we had doubts or fears!  Wouldn’t they make fun of our lack of faith; because, don’t we call ourselves Christians? As though admitting the truth would be shameful, we smile and put on a happy face.  If we try hard enough, we might even convince ourselves.  Perhaps if I sing loud enough; God won’t even notice my distress.  Yet, the truth is that God is listening for our cries of help.  He never meant for us to go this alone.  Never did He say it was going to be easy. In fact, the scripture teaches us to lean into Him and call out His name.

 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry… The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.  Psalm 34:15,17-19

A RIGHTEOUSNESS NOT MY OWN

Continue reading Did You know God is Listening for Your Cries? →

What foolish hearts we humans have!  Running to and fro in this finite life, we focus on our petty desires and dreams; and never stop to consider eternity.   We were created for so much more than this.  All our searching for happiness and self-fulfillment, leave us with an aching emptiness in our soul; until, we find God.  He is the one for whom we were created that He might shower upon us His Love, His Joy and His Glory.  Less than Him, is nothing.  Because by nature, I desire to cling to foolish counterfeit pleasures; God often must rip everything from my hands so I might see Him clearly.  Then, I find true joy, hope, peace, and overwhelming love that fills my heart and soul. It is then that I can awake each day to sing a Joyous Submission Song.

PSALM 73:24-26

 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

A Joyous Submission Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Awaken me with songs of Joy

To face the plight of day

Whatever comes, whate’er may be

Show me Your will I pray

 

Through thunderous storms or bright sunshine

I to Your hope do cling

Whate’er Your heart of love commands

Into my life now bring

 

Oh, Sovereign LORD You know my heart

Each crevice hid within

The times I fail to seek your face

While lured by my own sin

 

If Lord a Cross is what I need

To keep my eyes on You

Then tie it tight upon my back

That You are all I view

 

And if by chance I start to moan

Remind me of Your Son

He, who died to set me free

In Him my race is won

 

Then anchored by Your act of Grace

Held by Your throne above

You give me faith when mine doth fail

I cannot lose Your love

 

A love that drew me closer still

Til I desire obey

And Trust in You with all I am

My foolish pride to slay

 

You are the treasure that I seek

The love my heart aspires

So, take whatever you must take

Be All my soul desires

 

Awaken me with songs of Joy

To face the plight of day

Whatever comes, whate’er may be

Show me Your will, I pray

 

C.S. LEWIS QUOTES:

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us

God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.

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.

CONCLUDING TWEETS

[bctt tweet=”If a cross is what I need 2 draw me close 2 U then tie it tight upon my back til U R all I view” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]No pleasure on earth can compare to Knowing God as my dearest friend[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Rip from my hands LORD anything I cling too tight that I might cling to You[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”God is My Greatest Treasure, whatever else I lose; my heart can sing a Joyous Submission song” username=”effiedarlene”]

 

This portrait “The Sinner’s Cry” is an example of the creative artistry of Roninron.com  It is used by permission here; however is covered by copyright laws and not to be copied.  I encourage you to go to his website, review his art work and order a custom portrait or an original piece of art for yourself.

The featured picture at the beginning of the post was a pencil sketch done by Ron when just a young boy.  I always loved that picture and wanted to use it 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.  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.

 

When we face devastating sorrow, chronic pain, desperate heartbreak; we long to be near to others who can understand our tears.  This pilgrimage journey is filled with perils.  Sometimes the heaviness of our spirit weighs down upon us.  We long to just sit quietly in the presence of someone, anyone; who understands our broken despairing heart; because, they truly walked a mile in our shoes at a point and time in their own lives.  Because of their own suffering, they can wrap their arm around us, in quiet strength, while we sob on their shoulder.  Jesus Christ is that kind of friend. He was a man of great sorrow on earth, who wept over the atrocities He saw. He walked upon this earth, that He might be our Savior and thereby became the best Empathetic Shoulder to cry upon, as well.

 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  Hebrews 2:17-18

WHEN JOY AND SORROW MEET

Continue reading Jesus Is the Best Empathetic Shoulder to Cry On! Why? →