4 Joys of Knowing Jesus as Your High Priest

June 6, 2016 Effie Barba

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:7-9

There were three characteristics that each Levitical high priest must have. First, he must minister in behalf of other men by offering sacrifices for sins. Secondly, he must have compassion upon the spiritual ignorance of man with all his frailties. Thirdly, he must be chosen by God. As we begin chapter 5 of Hebrews, the writer meticulously lays out the truth that Jesus Christ fulfills all these characteristics of being a High Priest. Yet, Jesus Christ then rises above every other High Priest because He knew no sin. His perfect righteousness made Him able to be the only High Priest who could complete the work of Salvation and sit down at the right Hand of the Father on High. Yet, His being the exact image of God did not reduce the suffering that He had to endure. Indeed, His suffering was greater than anything that we might ever imagine.

Whenever you or I meet with temptation, the desire grows immensely until we finally either succumb to the desire or another greater desire replaces it. Certainly, Satan had a vested interest in tempting Jesus more than any other person who had walked upon this earth. Jesus never failed to begin and end each day in fervent prayer to the Father. It wasn’t that Jesus absolutely could not sin in His humanity; instead, He did not sin. There is a distinct difference. His temptations were real and He had the power to change it. Never was this more evidenced that as He prepared for the time upon the cross. Remember, the Garden of Gethsemane!! Jesus prayed with such intensity that great drops of blood formed on His brow. He pleaded with the Father “if there be any other way, take this cup from me. Nevertheless, thy will be done” Matthew 26:39.

Continue reading 4 Joys of Knowing Jesus as Your High Priest →

Christian Poetry

Awaken to Joy-

June 5, 2016 Effie Barba

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

Have you ever been Amazed by Joy? I mean really Amazed!! If you looked deep within your own heart or you looked at the storms that surround your life there was no reason for you to know this much joy; yet, there it is pulsating through your veins. That, my dear friends is the power of Christ in you. In Christ you have everything you could ever need to be a never ending spring of joyous living water to a dry and thirsty land. Despite that, how many years did I waste searching for counterfeit joys to fill my heart and spirit; only to discover that perfect love and perfect joy had been abiding there within me ever since the moment I first accepted Christ as my Savior. My greatest desire is that God molds a beautiful mosaic of Jesus for you to see from all the shattered pieces that were my life. I pray that when all the pieces of this my life are fitted together by God’s hand of Grace that the portrait of my life becomes an echoing reflection of God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, Joy and Glory. My prayer is that you find God to be your greatest treasure and all your desires are met in Him. I wrote this poem many months ago; but, wanted to share it with you today.

Awaken to Joy

Awaken, Awaken Oh heart of mine

Today has arrived so rich and Divine

Such Joy overflows into a new song

“By Grace I am Saved and By Grace I belong”

Wherever I go—whatever I do

Let Your Glorious Hope be all that I view

Such wonder and awe you place in my path

While never your anger– never your wrath

Oh Marvelous Grace that fills me with glee

Before your dear throne I have this one plea

Let your love flow forth to all whom I meet

Seeing Your Glory they fall at Your feet!

Lord let me be a reflection of You

In all that I say and all that I do

Let the Grace that You freely gave to me

Be the Grace that I give to those I see

Let Love guide my feet wherever I go

Your joy and Your hope be all that does show

And one day, Dear Lord, when this earth I leave

Don’t let those who knew me one moment grieve

Because they know that you are my treasure

And being with you my greatest pleasure

Let the life that I lived be an echo so true

Of the Grace and the love that I found in You

Awaken, Awaken Oh heart of mine

Today has arrived so rich and divine

Such Joy overflows into a new song

“By Grace I am Saved and By Grace I belong”

The picture “ Only In Christ I AM” above was created by Ronald Barba and is protected by copyright laws. I am using with full permission of Ronald Barba. Prints are available at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/only-in-christ-i-am-effie-darlene-barba.html

©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 with the exception of the portrait above and any money received will be given to the artist from whom I commissioned this piece. 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 Can I Boldly Bare My Heart to God?

June 3, 2016 Effie Barba

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Boldly? How can I go before the throne of God boldly? I who am so often awkward even in small groups. There is that person deep within who is so afraid of rejection. Outwardly, I often portray a tower of strength; but, inwardly I always doubt myself. Living alone affords me a lot of time in self-reflection. There underneath the exterior when everything is naked and opened, I would shudder in fear were it not for Grace.

As I pointed out in the previous post, the writer of Hebrews has been giving some warnings. Earnestly take heed lest you slip away from the truth by not clinging to the truth of the Gospel, which is Jesus Christ. Be very afraid, that you might miss God’s rest because of a heart of unbelief. Diligently work and exhort each other; lest, someone of you fall short of knowing Jesus with all your heart. Then we read in Hebrews 4:12 and 13

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do”

Continue reading How Can I Boldly Bare My Heart to God? →

Christian Blog

Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?

June 1, 2016 Effie Barba

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it Hebrews 4:1-2 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrew 3:19 (NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews once more comes with a warning. In Hebrews 2:1, he had warned us to “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Both warnings had begun with a therefore, asking us to go back and consider the argument which proceeds. In Hebrews 2, the preceding argument had been: “Since God has now chosen to speak to us through Jesus Christ, we must take earnest heed to listen because Jesus was greater than the prophets and the angels through whom God had previously spoken. If we listened to them, much more we should listen to the truth taught by Jesus, God’s own Son. If we fail to listen, fail to take heed; we may let the only hope of salvation slip away from us.”

Now, once more Hebrews 4 opens with a grave warning that begins with a “therefore”. This time the warning very specifically is: “Since God’s promise of entering His rest (eternity in Paradise with Him) is on the line; be afraid, lest you come short of it because of unbelief.” Woah! Let’s stop a moment to dissect this. Does this mean I could lose my salvation after I have accepted Christ as my Savior? No!! There is: however, the question of whether you truly have come to a saving knowledge of Christ or not. So, please stay with me here while I try to break this down for you both through the argument made by the writer of Hebrews and by an example from life. Continue reading Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart? →

Christian Blog

Really, Why Should I Consider Jesus My Greatest Hero?

May 30, 2016 Effie Barba

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him. Hebrews 3:1-2

As you remember all those heroes who died that you might live in freedom, consider Jesus Christ!! Think upon Him, draw nearer to Him, contemplate upon His Glory, and consider Him the Apostle who proclaimed God’s Final word. Consider Him, the perfect radiance of God’s Glory and image of God who willingly traveled far, suffered, and died that He might purchase your freedom from sin’s penalty. He who was higher than the angels, through whom the world was created; bore all the wrath against sin that perfect righteousness demanded so that you and I might be saved. He died for all who would believe upon His name. In Him we are declared righteous, having been clothed in His righteousness. In Him, we become worthy to be partakers of the heavenly calling as holy brothers and sisters of Christ Himself. In Jesus Christ, we are God’s redeemed, dearly beloved child. So, I urge you; if you have never known Jesus Christ as your Savior; consider Him. For those who know Him, “Consider Him as you face trials, sorrows or pains along this your pilgrimage journey toward your eternal destiny!”

The word consider means “think about and be drawn toward (a course of action)”, “to believe”, or to “think about when making a decision.” How appropriate a command!! Consider Jesus Christ in all that you do or think! Let’s look at 10 examples of how considering Jesus will transform every detail of your life.

Continue reading Really, Why Should I Consider Jesus My Greatest Hero? →