How to Face Life’s Greatest Trials with Peaceful Confidence

January 13, 2016 Effie Barba

Our lives are filled with seasons of great trials. Sometimes those trials are short in their duration and other times they go on for years with little relief. Sometimes it is a tragic illness. At other times it is an unexpected turn of events that comes crashing in on our well planned out lives. Whatever the trial is and no matter how long that trial may be, we need to find a way to face that trial with confidence. How do we find peace in the midst of that trial so that our responses are wise and steady? How do we hold fast to our faith without falling deep into despair when our world falls apart? How do we keep facing devastating trials with hope within?

Jesus was brought to trial before the chief priests first and then before the Roman authorities. He was mocked. He was questioned. They would slap Him and jeer asking that He tell them “who had touched Him.” As the night went on they beat Him severely, placed a crown of thorns on His head, spit in His face, placed Him in purple robes and presented Him to the very crowds that He had so lovingly served. This crowd who had even followed His every word a few days before now screamed “Crucify Him.” Although, He could have whispered one word and a legion of angels would have destroyed all these men; He calmly stood and softly spoke only a few words in response. Within those few words and the ones which came shortly before we can see the keys to facing any type of trial we too may face.

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Christian Blog

What to Do When I Fail With All My Heart?

January 11, 2016 Effie Barba

What to Do When I Fail With All My Heart?

Often I have heard sermons on Peter’s denial. I have listened intently as pastors explained the different analogies concerning why Peter failed this test. I have heard it explained that Peter failed because he followed Jesus at a distance or that he became too concerned for his own life. Others commentaries say that he stood with the wrong crowd as he warmed himself by the fire. We wish we could find a reason for his failure. Then we would find the formula that prevents us from stumbling as well. My heart so longs to love God better!! I want to be a testimony for Him. I want to always present Him well. I wish I could find the truth as to why despite my desire to please Him, to love Him and to follow Him; sometimes, I make a mess of it all. When that happens, then, like Peter—all I can do is to fall before God’s throne of Grace to weep a little while.

Peter truly loved the Master. He had left everything to follow Him. At times, Peter was a bit tempestuous like the sea he had fished in. Yet, his heart longed to please the Master. This had been a long night as Jesus told them that He must go away so that the Comforter would come. Jesus tried to prepare them; but, Peter didn’t really want to hear this. He didn’t know how He would survive without Jesus being present to guide Him. Was it fear that caused Peter to deny Jesus? I don’t think so. Peter had pulled out his sword in front of a cohort of soldiers; but, Jesus told him to put it away. Peter had followed while others had scattered. He didn’t know what the plan was next. He needed Jesus to tell him the plan. “Where do I go now? What do I do now? If I am not to fight for you, then what?” Haven’t you been there? I have. In those moments of waiting when you feel so lost and alone, uncertain as to what the next step is. Those moments when you are praying with all your heart and soul not to fail God; then, you find yourself flat on your face in the mud anyway.

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday: The Master Weaver

January 10, 2016 Effie Barba

When I gaze back over my life, I am reminded of my own stumbling steps. Scattered bits of broken threads strewn along the way. Yet, every step of the way; God has picked up the pieces of thread and continues to weave His portrait from my life. You see, that was the promise—“all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called for His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He did predestinate to be conformed into the image of His Son” (Romans 8:28-29). His plan is to transform me into the likeness of Christ. He picks up all the broken threads and tightly weaves them together as He has planned. It has been God’s Grace, Mercy and Love which has lead me ever closer to His side. It has been God’s Grace, Mercy and Love that patiently has been working to transform me. Every sorrow, every trial, every broken heart, and every detail has been to lead me to this moment so that I might say to you like Francis Crosby, “All the Way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender Mercy; who through life has been my guide?”

Below is a poem that I wrote several years ago. My prayer is that it serve as a reminder to you, dear pilgrim, that whatever it is you may be facing today; God has a perfect plan to lead your heart ever closer to Him. Then you will realize that in Him is found all you need to fill your heart. He is the love to your lonely heart, the joy that sustains you through life’s sorrows, and the grace that covers all your sins, and frailties. One day, I will look like Christ—this I know. Maybe not today; but, one day I will.

The Master Weaver

by Effie Darlene Barba

Broken threads my life you found

And with your love each piece you bound

A song of love your lips resound

With gentle hands, each thread you place

Oh could it be, amazing grace

A picture clear, my Savior’s face

What joy divine, could it be true

Each broken thread, you only knew

When woven tight would look like you

The Scarlet threads my broken heart

The deepest sorrows blue impart

Each silver thread of tears that fell

You guide my life with such detail

A brilliant gold, your love divine

My sins were washed, a white sublime

You gently weave with skillful hand

The portrait mine that you have planned

Oh, let me Lord remember this

That I might know with joy and bliss

You did ordain my every tear

That I might learn to never fear

That I might trust the weaver’s hand

And on this hope and promise stand

Your love will always know what’s best

Your cradling arms are where I rest

Broken threads my life you found

And with your love each piece you bound

A song of love your lips resound

With gentle hands, each thread you place

Oh could it be, amazing grace

A picture clear, my Savior’s face

What joy divine, could it be true

Each broken thread, you only knew

When woven tight would look like you

The song made from this poem is The Master Weaver which I hope inspires you today to find in Him your hope, peace and joy today—no matter what trials you must face today.

Photograph courtesy of unsplash.com/jonathanpendleton –The inscription I added.

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 CAN SOMETHING SO TERRIBLY WRONG BE ACTUALLY GOOD?

January 8, 2016 Effie Barba

HOW CAN SOMETHING SO TERRIBLY WRONG BE ACTUALLY GOOD?

We look around us at all the suffering, pain, and agony of this broken world. Wars, terrorism, and tragedies that occur many proclaiming to be in the name of God. Such tragedies have occurred throughout all the centuries since man’s heart first chose to worship the creation more than the creator. We see the natural disasters and ask God why? Then there are those agonizing sorrows much closer to our own hearts when we watch one of our children suffer. Even more agonizing is when we look back and realize that perhaps our own foolish choices may have been a part of their suffering now. Our very best efforts to protect, provide for, love and guide was not enough. Those memories we thought would elevate us become like ashes that fly away into the sky and all we have is shame or guilt. We look into heaven and wonder “how could a Sovereign God allow this?” Couldn’t He have enlightened me more, then? And what about mental illness, such as my mother’s bipolar disorder? Is God somewhere to be found in the midst of their agony? Or what about physical illnesses such as the cancer I lived through. Does God use all the failures, the illnesses, the broken pieces of our lives and our world to create something beautiful? I know that He really does do just that; and because I know that, I can rest in His love, His peace, and His joy in the midst of every circumstance of this pilgrimage journey. I can trust Him, even when everything around me looks bleak and disastrous. Let me explain to you how I know and the steps which will help you to trust Him in the storms.

BOUND AND CARRIED AWAY

Jesus had declared “I AM the one you seek.” He had willingly surrendered to the cohort of men. In fact, He performed a miracle by restoring the ear of one. He could call a legion of angels and no man could hold Him. In fact, in plain day and plain sight, He had escaped their capture while standing before them teaching. Despite all of this, there in the darkness of the night, they chained Him and bound Him; as if their chains had any power over Him. Then they lead Him to the courts of the High Priest. We are reminded of Caiaphas words: “that it is expedient that one man die, rather than the whole nation perish” (John 18:14 and John 11:50). Something so tragically wrong, that perfect righteousness—the awaited Messiah would be sentenced to death in “the name of God” by the very ones He came to save.

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Christian Blog

Why Was This Encounter with Jesus Really so Surprising?

January 6, 2016 Effie Barba

Why was this encounter with Jesus really so surprising?

The cohort of soldiers dispatched with their flickering lanterns, torches and weapons were prepared to fight as they crossed the bridge into the garden. Theirs was a simple command that must be carried out. They were accompanied by Judas and servants of the high priest. They expected the suspect to either run to hide or be prepared to fight. Particularly they had heard that this man had a lot of devoted followers who would defend him. So, as they crossed the bridge they were surprised that Jesus approached them to ask who they were looking for, as though He didn’t know. Yet, He knew. He had just spent agonizing hours alone in prayer with the Father preparing for this very moment. Judas knew that Jesus would be there in the garden, so often He had gone there to pray while the apostles slept. It was His place of solace—His prayer room whenever in Jerusalem. To the surprise of these officers, when they said that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth; He responded “I AM HE” (John 18:5). They stepped back and fell to the ground in preparation to fight—they must be in position to defend themselves they thought. There were between 300 to 600 men all preparing for the battle. Again, Jesus says, “Who are you looking for?” Once more they say, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Then again, Jesus says; “I told you I AM He; so I am here—take me. Let these my friends go in peace, if I am who you seek.”

I AM HE WHO YOU SEEK

Not at all what they expected!! Even more surprising when Peter took his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus; Christ made Peter put away the sword. Then, miraculously Jesus placed His hand over the bleeding wound and restored the ear!! What was so different about this man? Did they understand what Jesus meant when He responded “I AM HE?” Did they know He meant, “I AM THE GREAT I AM; the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).

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