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The 7 Greatest Statements of Grace to the World

January 20, 2016 Effie Barba

In this study through the gospel of John, we now come to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. After this mockery of a trial shrouded in the darkness of night, Jesus must carry His cross to the top of the hill. His body wrenching in pain from the beatings, blood dripping from His back and His brow; a stander by was asked to help Him to carry the cross. An inscription was placed at the foot of His Cross written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin that read: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. His hands were nailed to the cross beams of the cross and His feet to a small piece of wood. The cross was raised and then dropped three feet into the ground with a thunderous bang—ripping at the blood drenched hands and feet. The pain so excruciating that it was nearly impossible to breath. Speech was nearly impossible; yet, from that cross Jesus spoke 7 of the Greatest Statements of Grace ever spoken to the World. I want us to take a moment to look at these 7 statements and ponder on what they mean to you and to me.

Picture used by permission of the artist Ronald Barba and is protected by copyright.

1. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). These were the first words that came from the lips of Jesus as they placed Him on that cross. Did he mean that they were ignorant of their cruelty or that they were ignorant to their hanging an innocent man? No, but they were ignorant of the enormity of the sin within their own hearts. Yet, while the pain was so great; Jesus made intercession for the sinner. He made intercession for you and for me as well. On that cross He made intercession for every man, woman, and child; yet, not all would accept that gift of forgiveness. Some would mock at it. Some would say they don’t need it. Some would deny the very existence of God. Yet, Jesus whispered this prayer so that all who would accept this gift of forgiveness; are forgiven. “He poured out His soul unto death: He was numbered among the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).

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Christian Blog

What In The World Will You Do With Jesus?

January 18, 2016 Effie Barba

What In The World Will You Do With Jesus?

It was the question before Pilate that fateful night. He was the Roman Governor. It should have been an easy decision. After all, why would he have cared? He had spilled innocent blood before without a thought. He had nothing to do with the Jewish faith or their teachings of a Messiah. Still, there were the tortuous dreams of his wife who warned him “to have nothing to do with this innocent man.” Maybe, since Jesus was from Galilee, he could send him off to King Herod Antipas instead. “Let Herod determine the fate of Jesus” Pilate thought. Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (the one who feared that Jesus was the awaited Messiah and had all the male babies slaughtered surrounding Bethlehem). Herod Antipas was the one who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.

Herod was fascinated by Jesus and wanted to have Jesus perform a miracle for his own entertainment. When Jesus stood silent and did not “perform” for him, Herod cloaked him in robes and sent him back for the soldiers to beat, mock and torture. With that, he declared to Pilate that it would be Pilate’s problem. Herod saw Jesus as some powerless peasant, incapable of any significant problem. In fact, Herod thought it impossible that Jesus could be “guilty of what these foolish priests and scribes accused Him of.”

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Christian Poetry

Awaken to Joy

January 17, 2016 Effie Barba

Sometimes when we take a moment to remember the wonder of all the things we have because of God’s Amazing Grace toward us; we must be filled with joy. The wonder, beauty, and Glory of knowing Jesus as our Savior, being adopted into the family of God, and being given the gift of His love should make our hearts sing with Joy. We should become overflowing fountains of His love and Grace toward those whom we meet along this journey. My prayer is that all the pieces of this puzzle of my life when fitted together are 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 this morning for you.

Awaken to Joy

By Effie Darlene Barba

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 awe and wonder 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 just this one plea

That 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”

©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 Video Blog

What Do You Do When You Get It All Wrong?

January 16, 2016 Effie Barba

I awoke this morning with these ideas circling in my head. As I began to write down some of the thoughts; I realized that I needed to share these with you today. So, I filmed this video for you.

4 points to remember when you get it all wrong

1. It is not about how many times I have failed God. It is about how many times that God’s loving Grace has searched for me, found me buried in despair, and asked “Child, do you love me?” “Yes, my Lord, with all my heart!!”, I reply. “Then my Child, come take my hand. We have work to do. The fields are white with harvest. Feed my sheep.”

2. It is not about how many times Satan has sifted me and left me like dust on the board of life. It is about how many times God takes that pulverized flour and makes bread to feed those who are hungry.

3. It is not about how many dreams I have toward doing things for God—no matter how lofty they might be. It is about how many times God picks up the shattered pieces of those dreams, then reflects His Glory through them to shine His light upon another soul. Changing the eternity of another through the shatter pieces of what once was my dreams.

4. It is not about what I can do for God. It is about what He can do with a broken heart, and feeble weary hands when that heart has come to realize that He is my greatest treasure. He is my Joy, my hope, and the love I have so longed for.

So, dear friend; if you think that God can not use you to shine forth His Glory. Think again. He loves you and His mercy is new every morning. I needed to tell you that today.

I wrote and published my book A Broken and Contrite Heart in 2011 which was an in depth look at what do you do when you get it wrong. Although, I have grown spiritually since it’s publication; it remains a good place to begin or continue your journey of Grace. Whenever, I forget (as sometimes we humans do); I have to return to that place in which I realized that it has always been all about Grace and Grace Alone.

If you wish to purchase a copy, you may click the link or go to Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com to order one.

If indeed, you wish a copy and cannot afford it; please email me. Depending upon the response, I will try to honor you with a copy. Understanding that in the modern book market; I, the author, must purchase my own books from the publisher. So, as I am able and God permits, I will try to fulfill those requests.

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 of course the exception of my own book for which I receive a small commission from Authorhouse, the publisher. 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.

Blog

What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know?

January 15, 2016 Effie Barba

What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know?

The truth. What is it? We search for it. We seek it. We really want to know. In our conversations, in our own lives, in our relationships, in our family and even our court rooms we say we want truth. Yet, do we always? Or do we only want “our truth”? When I look back at the memories of my past do I see the truth of all that happened? Then why sometimes is my memory different than what mom remembers or to that which my children may remember? Have I softened my own guilt in a situation? Where is the truth? Somewhere in the midst of all the different memories of an event, there is hidden there the real event with all the facts of it.

Of all the places we desire to seek truth, none are more notable than in a courtroom. Truth is needed; yet, even there can we ever really know the truth? Eye witnesses often recall an event with variances as to what they saw. Can I really trust my own memory of things? And so it was as Pilate wanted to know, “What is the truth about this man from Galilee, called Jesus? Why did the priests send Him to be tried under the roman rule?”

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