Christian Poetry

My One Desire This Christmas Day

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

 

In listening to the news yesterday; I could not help but notice that some say we have lost our hope this year, while others say for the first time in 8 years they have hope of a future.  Both reflecting their hope in a man who either is now or in one who soon will be our President.  Yes, I must say I am hopeful that our President Elect will bring good things to our nation; the same as I was hopeful when I voted for President Obama eight years ago.  If my hope stands merely upon a man or a woman; I know that I will be disappointed.  Yet, my hope cannot be dashed by mere circumstances of this world; because, my hope is firmly held and anchored by God to His promises for me.  And so it is, to all those who feel hopeful this Christmas and to all those who feel their hope has been crushed; my prayer is that God touch you with His Grace.  I pray you abound in hope because of God’s Gift to you upon that first Christmas Day.

My One Desire This Christmas Day

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The tinsel and lights with songs of good cheer

It was the season, December was here

The stores were a bustle with holiday light

Yet something was wrong, it just wasn’t right

There was an a boding a sense that of fear

As some even said hope left us this year

I pondered a moment and wondered then why?

Perhaps it was truth replaced by a lie

They said that You don’t really belong

To celebrate You would even be wrong

That Christmas must not be about You

We must not offend; our thoughts must be new

I shuttered the thought, my life without You

A cold bitter hopelessness came into view

 

Chorus:

Lord, help me to be a star shining bright

To draw all men unto Your Glorious light

Hope can be found in Your Precious Son

Only in Him, the victory is won

Love came to earth that first Christmas Day

Only in Him can hope find its way

So, let me sing forth this Glorious Song

Proclaiming Your Grace, Your gift to belong

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

 

Verse II

Don’t they know You’re the hope that came on that day?

That you are our Joy? There’s no other way!

That you are our Savior! The one that we need!

The One for whom our heart’s cry does plead!

Reflect forth my hope, my eyes fixed on You

So Filled by Your Glory for others to view

Let Your love and joy shine forth from my life

To those who are filled with fear and with strife

Transform my heart, make me Your light

To pierce through the deepest darkness of night

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

Bridge:

Ring forth the joy of Christmas cheer

The Lord has come to draw men near

He left His majesty on high

Our dreadful plight to rectify

To set us free from chains within

That bind our hearts to death and sin

That hope a rise within our hearts

As love and joy He does Impart

Chorus:

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

[bctt tweet=”Let my life be a mirror a reflection of You For others to see If only they knew” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”You are the hope the love they search for So Lord make me less that You can be more” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”This is my true wish & for this I pray The gift I desire on this Christmas Day” username=”effiedarlene”]



I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

Picture used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@rpnickson

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Christian Blog

What Is the Depth, Height and Breadth of Grace?

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:1-2

 

As I pointed out in the past post, Paul was writing this letter from prison to the church of Colossae who were being bombarded by false ideologies. Such a young church who would be facing lots of hardships and those who would condemn and ostracize them for their beliefs; as they clung tight to the gospel truth. Sounds a lot like our world still today; yet, note this God’s word has held fast throughout the centuries. The gospel message is still being proclaimed today; because of those who clung fast to the truth despite so much opposition. God’s Grace has proclaimed His truth, persevered His words throughout the ages. He has used faith filled men and women to carry the torch; thus, Graciously Sharing in His Glory with each. So, let us begin this letter.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” Paul knew that his salvation occurred only by the express will of God. Beyond that, Paul had been chosen by God to the 12th apostle replacing Judas Iscariot. Paul certainly would not have been chosen by the other Apostles. After all, Paul had been a persecutor of the early church before he met Jesus face to face on the Damascus Road. It was God’s Will and God’s Grace that lead Paul to a saving knowledge of Christ. That truth humbled Paul. Were it not for the good pleasure of God’s Will, I would have never been saved. I know that! It was Grace Alone that reached out to me, opened my eyes that I might see, and saved me just as I had been found clothed in all my filthy rags. God saw that it would take years to reveal to me all the dark crevices in my heart; yet, He loved me just the same. He was willing to spend a lifetime transforming me with such patience and Grace; as He continues even today.

Continue reading What Is the Depth, Height and Breadth of Grace? →

Christian Blog

How to Hold onto Truth in A World Of Ideas

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:29-32

 

Paul had heard the Holy Spirit whispering to him to return to Jerusalem. Everyone told him that he would meet his death if he did; yet, his concern was not his own life. He would willingly go to his death if that was what God commanded. Yet, his concern was the young disciples, the early church. He feared for them more than for himself. He knew how quickly false doctrines and ideas could penetrate the church; drawing them away from the gospel truth. So, he did the only thing that he could–he commended them into God’s hand; knowing God is able to keep that which he committed unto Him.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

After visiting the church of Ephesus, Paul went on to Jerusalem where he was imprisoned.

Continue reading How to Hold onto Truth in A World Of Ideas →

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When Grace Leads Us to the Good Pleasure of God’s Will

What wondrous grace is mine that I have spent the last week with my dear son and His family.  I am so blessed, it has been God’s Grace that lead my family and that gave me such wonderful, children, grandchildren, and the wonderful spouses that God gave each of my children.  Let me refer You to a previous post as my plane is loading at present.  Will be back on Wednesday with new messages.

 

What really is the good pleasure of God’s Will

Christian Poetry

How to Maintain Hope Along the Road of Life

My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.  I Samuel 2:1,2

 

Sometimes as we journey through this life we become bogged down by the thorns.  The road seems so treacherous, our hearts grow heavy and we lose sight of God’s face before us.  Sometimes the scars we carry are so devastating, the thorns rip open the wounds and we think we cannot survive or risk another wound. We see the mountain peaks in front of us and we lose hope; yet, God bids us to look up.  When we recall His majesty and His Grace, the mountains fall as we sing praise to Him.  Our hearts fill with hope and overflow with joy as we focus on God’s promises. His Love, His Sovereignty and His Grace become our strength.

Along the Road of Life

by Effie Darlene Barba

As I walked along this road of life

Amidst the rambling thorns of strife

I felt the pains-like sharpened knife

Tear open scars of yonder day

I gazed before me – looming there

Mountain peaks filled with darkest lair

I wanted then to cry a prayer

Agony’s silence came to stay

 

I felt so desperately alone

Until a light before me shone

A King who sat upon a throne

A path to whom before me lay

 

And then I heard a still small voice

That called to me to sing, rejoice

I pondered then to make the choice

To choose Joy’s song as mine today

 

I felt within a warmth, a glow

It felt as if my heart did grow

As joy and love within did flow

My pains and sorrows swept away

 

I took a step, just one at first

Desiring more His hope I thirst

To drink His love until I burst

With laughter’s wondrous ray

 

My heart rejoicing rose to sing

As lifted up on eagle’s wing

My weakness bids- His strength to bring

My fears and doubts He came to slay

 

Amazing then before my eyes

The mountains that had hid the skies

No longer did before me rise

Instead beneath my feet did lay

[bctt tweet=”Along the Road of Life, Our Joy is Held Firm when our hearts sing Praise to God.” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]The deepest scars of life must be cut open before they can be healed.[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”When we praise God for all He has done, we open the gates of hope and joy in all He is going to do” username=”effiedarlene”]



I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

Photograph used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@atlas_green

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments