A Prayer for Our Nation- Poetry Sunday

July 3, 2016 Effie Barba

¹For 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. Jeremiah 29:11-13

If we listen to the news today; we would believe that our nation is broken beyond repair-split between so many ideas that could never be united. We watch violent protests, politicians with no respect for truth nor the laws of our land. We see heated arguments played out on our news broadcasts. We see anger, terror, lies and the portrayal that our liberties are squelched by what might be called political correctness. It seems all that the news medias want is to further divide and sensationalize our differences for their own financial gain. Yet, if you walk outside for a moment; I think you would see the true greatness of this land. You would see someone stopping to give a helping hand to a stranger. You would see the hearts of the police who sacrificially serve their communities while facing evils that we dare not even think about. Our greatness as a nation is our ability to unite and stand strong with one true battle cry, ““I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I am proud to be a Christian and I am also proud to be an American where I defend liberty and justice to all regardless of their faith, race or gender. I do ask that I, as a Christian; be afforded those same liberties as well without fear.

To all my Christian brothers and sisters, let me remind you that we must unite in prayer for our nation. We must then go forth and proclaim the name of Jesus unashamedly; while at the same time displaying the truth of His gospel through love, grace, humility and kindness. We must stand firm for what we believe; yet, we must do so with dignity, grace and love.

A Prayer for Our Nation

by Effie Darlene Barba

I listened to the news today

Their crafted words were meant to sway

My mind to turn and think their way

The truth I dare not really say

Their words portrayed a great divide

And bid me then to take a side

A battle built of human pride

While truth and justice set aside

Our Country torn and broke apart

No hope to find a brand new start

And then I looked within my heart

I must not delay to do my part

And so, I bowed my head today

While for my country I will pray

For truth, for love, for grace to sway

To shine a light by words I say

“Give me the strength, dear Lord to stand

With humble love to heal this land

Not water down the truth I know

Through kindness then your love to show

Give me words to speak, make me wise

Yet, never, never compromise

I cannot deny the Only One

Who loved us so You sent Your son

To bleed and die upon that cross

I’d rather die or suffer loss

Than e’er deny my God, my King

Let bells once more of freedom ring

And never deny my right to say

To God, I bow my head to pray

Teach me Oh Lord to stand for you

With gentle grace and honor true

As I look upon Christ’s gentle face

To understand your love and grace

I must not compromise my stance

Yet do so with a love filled glance

And so, dear Lord I bow my head

Teach me to walk where you have led

And fight this war down on my knees

Where I might there your will then seize

The original picture of the flag is from: http://www.123rf.com/profile_stillfx I did use photoshop to add the cross with the praying woman.

©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

How To Overcomes Life’s Trials and Really Know Joy

July 1, 2016 Effie Barba

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen Hebrews 11: 20-21

In Christ, we are given all that we need to live free from anxiety, fear, guilt or shame. Yet, we go about our lives too often as though we are paupers spiritually. Oh, yes; I am well aware of the turmoil that surrounds us in this world. The news broadcasts are filled with the constant flow of anger, hatred, hypocrisy, terror, violence, chaos, and doom. We despair as our civil liberties to pray or to speak the name of Christ are being removed for fear that we might offend another while we are to listen with open ears to other religions in the name of religious freedom. All of this creating greater divide from the core truth of our faith which is proclaiming the name of Christ with love, honor, and kindness. We must remain fearless and uncompromising in standing firm to the truth that Jesus is the only way; while at the same time doing so with gentle compassion and true humility. How?

Beyond the turmoil that surrounds us, there are the battles we find ourselves in within our own hearts. We are bombarded by sorrows, pains, and disappointments in this fallen world. We become discouraged with our own attempts at being the Christians we should be. We were not taken out of this world at the point of salvation. We face illness, loss, financial ruin, heartbreak, and pain in our lives—our faith does not separate us from the truth of life within a fallen world. Where do we find the faith to be bold in the middle of so many trials? How can I proclaim that deep within me is a fountain of steadfast joy bubbling up to wash over the darkest sorrows?

Continue reading How To Overcomes Life’s Trials and Really Know Joy →

Christian Blog

In A Despairing World, What Is My Purpose?

June 29, 2016 Effie Barba

Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things. You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! Hebrews 10:33-35 TLB

Can we truly know a steadfast joy that sustains our hearts even when terror strikes around us? Or when we go to the doctor to hear the dreaded word Cancer, where can be find sustaining faith? We see so much sorrow, so many suffering, and so much corruption that our hearts bleed for our nation and our world! Yet, as followers of Christ we are told that we can hold tight to faith, hope, and joy. In our study on Monday, we began a 3 part series within our larger series through Hebrews.

There are three key fundamental truths each of us must know in order to have a faith that can stand fearless no matter what happens around us. Even in the center of the storm, we can have a steadfast joy smoldering deep within our heart, spirit and soul. These three key fundamental truths are:

1. Knowing who God is

2. Knowing the purpose for which we were created

3. Knowing the true identity of who we are in Christ

Continue reading In A Despairing World, What Is My Purpose? →

Christian Blog

How to Have Steadfast Faith and Joy No Matter What!

June 27, 2016 Effie Barba

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:1,6

How does one have a Faith that is fearless to face all of life’s trials, a hope that sees beyond the storm clouds, and a steadfast, abounding Joy no matter what life brings? Throughout the book of Hebrews, we see these huge warning signs for all those who are “lukewarm” toward Jesus. Warning! Do you really know Him as your Savior and High Priest? Or do you only half-heartedly use His name? Warning! There is no other way to stand before God’s Throne except to have been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus for atonement of your sins. Yet, for those who believe and who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior by asking Him into their heart; the book of Hebrews reveals the magnificence of the Grace we have been given. It gives us also the fundamental keys to unlocking a life of fearless faith, everlasting hope, and steadfast joy that is undaunted by the storms of this life.

There are three keys to living this Christian life while soaring above all of life’s storms. These are:

Continue reading How to Have Steadfast Faith and Joy No Matter What! →

Christian Poetry

A Revival Prayer When Terror Strikes

June 26, 2016 Effie Barba

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1: 3-6 (NKJV)

If ever there was a time to call all Christians to prayer in our nation, it is now. Although, I am well aware that my last post from the series in Hebrews was a grave reminder that God hates sin. Yet, it was also a reminder that God’s Grace is what has held His hand steady from calling all of mankind into judgment now as we so deserve. He bids that we stand firm in proclaiming the truth of His Great Grace and Love!! We must lay aside our self-exalting, pride filled heart so that He may use each of us to proclaim the truth of the gospel. We must stand firm, without fear proclaiming the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, there is no hope for mankind. We must not be swayed by political “correctness” nor by self-righteous anger. We must proclaim the truth with humility, love and kindness. We must pray and study God’s word that we may be ready to stand no matter how stormy it gets.