One Order Broken and God’s Grace Displayed To the World

January 22, 2016 Effie Barba

Throughout the Gospel of John it is reported over and over that his greatest desire is so that you will know the truth so that you might believe and receive Grace upon Grace. John saw the awe, the wonder and the beauty of God’s Grace toward man. He was amazed by how God fulfilled every Old Testament scripture that foretold of Jesus. John longed for his people to realize that truth. After Jesus had died on the cross, John stood and watched alongside Mary, the mother of Jesus. Then, what happened immediately next John saw as an amazing portrait of both God’s Sovereignty and God’s Grace to the world. He saw this as so important that he swears to its truth and its power to make you believe. What was so astonishing about this and why did John see it as so powerful a truth?

Let’s read the scripture first. ^“31The Jewish leaders didn’t want the victims hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, for it was the Passover), so they asked Pilate to order the legs of the men broken to hasten death; then their bodies could be taken down.³²So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus; ³³but when they came to him, they saw that he was dead already, so they didn’t break his. ³⁴However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. ³⁵I saw all this myself and have given an accurate report so that you also can believe.^[a] ^36-37The soldiers did this in fulfillment of the Scripture that says, “Not one of his bones shall be broken,” and, “They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19).

So what was so amazing about all this?

5 AMAZING TRUTHS

1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL. The Roman soldier had been given a direct order to break the legs. Perhaps the Jewish priests had considered the scripture that “bone would be broken” and of certain they knew that an appropriate sacrificial lamb had to have no broken limbs. Was that part of their desire here? Had they wanted to prove that Jesus for certain was not the sacrificial lamb? Yet, the roman soldier when he looked upon Jesus; did not break His legs. That was a direct disobedience and would not have been in character for a soldier; except that God’s Sovereign Will interceded and the Soldier pierced the side of Jesus where blood and water poured forth. Without knowing a word of Jewish scripture, the roman soldier was fulfilling the Scripture concerning Jesus. Think about it. That is Amazing!!

2. GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE. In Zechariah 12, God yet foretells that one day Jerusalem will mourn for “whom they have pierced.” Jesus in every way was God’s Word made alive and visible. Every promise of Grace fulfilled. “⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53).

3. UNDENIABLE PROOF OF HIS DEATH—this was an undeniable proof of the death of Christ, so that the miracle of His resurrection could not be questioned either.

4. REDEMPTION’S GRACE FLOWED FORTH: The blood of Christ poured forth from his side as most likely the sword pierced his heart. “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,⁶And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelations 1)

5. LIVING WATER POURED FORTH. For all who come to the fountain of living water, we are promised that He will satisfy our thirst. Life Abundant and Rich can be found in Christ.

CONCLUSION: God’s Sovereignty caused even an Unbelieving Roman Soldier to disobey his order so that every scripture could be fulfilled. Isn’t that amazing? More Amazing is that He loved me so much that He took upon Himself all my sin, my shame, and my sorrow so that I might find redemption and life abounding with Joy in Him!! Do you know Him? Do you believe in Him?

The Song I chose for you today is: Oh my Soul Arise

photo is by permission https://unsplash.com/jonathanbean I added the words.

©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.

Blog

The 7 Greatest Statements of Grace to the World

January 20, 2016 Effie Barba

The 7 Greatest Statements of Grace to the World

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).

Continue reading The 7 Greatest Statements of Grace to the World →

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.”

Continue reading What In The World Will You Do With Jesus? →

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”

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.