7 Attributes of Glory Displayed In the Heart of Jesus

January 4, 2016 Effie Barba

As we walk along this pilgrimage journey, we often must face sorrow, pain, loss, and loneliness. Our hearts long to belong, to be known, or to have left a mark on this world. It is the common cry of the human heart to want to be someone, anyone. We want to be remembered or noticed. We long for Glory without even realizing the truths of what it means to be truly Glorious. Webster’s definition of Glory is splendid beauty, worthy of honor and admiration. What truly is Glorious? Would it not be to have splendor, majesty, and honor that is without blemish? Yet, the human heart that is so prone to self-exaltation would be at such risk of pride blemishing the very reflection of Glory once obtained. So, what are the true attributes of Glory? In John 17, as Jesus prays to the Father while walking toward the Garden of Gethsemane; we are given a glimpse of true Glory.

There are seven attributes that we see displayed in the heart of Jesus that are the core essence of His Glory. They are why His Name is Above all other names to be praised with Glory and Honor. Those attributes are:

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday Out of the Darkness, I hear Your Love Song

January 3, 2016 Effie Barba

This Christian Pilgrimage will always be laden with mountains and valleys deep. We can rest assured that God has a perfect plan that will guide us along the way. Sometimes in the evening hours, I may feel defeated by the day or discouraged by my own heart’s foolish desires. Yet, this I know. God is everyday and every night about the task of perfecting my heart so that one day, I will be His Radiant, Unblemished Child. Then, I will fully understand the depth of His love and be filled with the fullness of His Joy. For now, I stand firm; clothed in the Righteousness of Christ. Last night as I went to bed, I had no song to write. As I whispered a prayer before I went to sleep, I asked God to send me a new song by morning break. I awoke with these words playing in my head. He is an Amazing Father. He is my fountain of Joy in the deserts of my heart. He is my Greatest Treasure and the Love of my Life.

Out of the Darkness, I hear Your Love Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

I gazed at the world, such sorrows abound

The tragedies, trials which seem to surround

I looked deep in my heart where sadness I found

From foolish desires and dreams so profound

Like smoldering flames upon desert ground

That burned into ashes and scattered around

I whispered then softly a cry with a prayer

A plea sent resounding throughout the night air

“Forgive me, I know this foolish heart of mine

Sometimes does tend to moan and to whine

I truly do wish my heart could be free

To Love you, My Lord as You have loved me.”

I did not then wait to hear your reply

As off to my bed I did go with a sigh

Then Out of the darkness I hear your love song

Erasing my sorrows from all I’ve done wrong

Enwrapped by your presence I know I belong

My frail, broken heart began beating so strong

For You are the Joy for which I so long

“Oh love of my life, stay here by my side

My Savior, My Lord in your grace I abide

Lying here in my bed, tightly tucked in your arms

I drift back to sleep safe from all of life’s harms”

And then I awake, to face a brand new day

Restored by your love, I bow down to pray

“Oh let my life song be a tribute to you

A light in the darkness the world now to view

How your Mercy and Grace did my heart now renew

From the ashes of sorrow, a garden you grew

Like Rivers and fountains of Joy in my heart

Bringing life to this desert-a fresh brand new start

Oh, Thank You dear Lord for all that you’ve done

But mostly I thank you for Your Precious Son.

The perfect reflection of all that you are

My Savior, My King, My Bright Morning Star”

[bctt tweet=”Never be afraid to lay your burdens, fears, & frailties at the foot of the cross every evening “] [bctt tweet=”You will be awakened by God’s Gracious Love and Joy will be yours in the morning light.”]

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015

Photo used courtesy of Unsplash.com. I added the inscription.

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 Podcast

3 Purposes of God That Will EMPOWER Your Life

January 2, 2016 Effie Barba

I have so wanted to just sit down and talk with each of you. If I could take your hand and tell you that in the midst of whatever circumstance you are in, God has a perfect plan of love. So, I have decided to do the closest thing I can to that for now. I created this video—this will be my first video podcast just for you. I have spoken on a subject that I find very dear to my heart and believe that watching it will transform your Christian Journey. Learning of these truths certainly transformed mine. My desire is to begin this new year with at least monthly podcasts for you. I will be open to questions or suggestions as to what subjects we may discuss or explore together.

My book, ULTIMATE INSPIRATION, GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE is a more in-depth exploration of this very subject. I will be giving away one signed copy to someone chosen at random from those who leave comments below. Feel free to contact me via the contact page above, leave your comments or place comments on my Facebook Author/Speaker Page. For those who wish to purchase a copy of the book, you may go to http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000465113/Ultimate-InspirationGods-Plan-of-Love.aspx or at Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Inspiration–Gods-Plan-Love/dp/1477205918/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451747889&sr=8-4&keywords=effie+darlene+barba

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.

Christian Blog

5 Secrets to the Happiest Year of Your Life

January 1, 2016 Effie Barba

5 Secrets to the Happiest Year of Your Life

Today, I want to pause to give you 5 secrets to having the happiest year of your life. Ah, but once you know them; they are no longer secrets and be the steps to your best year ever.

The Five Secrets to Your Happiest Year Ever are:

Secret #1: God’s Mercies are New Every Morning

Secret #2: Forget your past failures

Secret #3: Forgive yourself and others

Secret #4: Trust God’s Hand of Love

Secret #5: Recognize that in every trial God has a wonderful, joyous gift that is being unwrapped

That’s it? Yep!! You might think that unusually brief for me; but, those steps are what keep my heart singing with joy and a smile on my face through every circumstance that life’s journey may have thrown at me. So, simple and to the point; yet, so filled with power and truth. Everything else I write points to these secrets of living the Christian life. Everything I write is about helping us abide in Christ. It is about knowing who we are in Christ. It is about finding and fully living a life that is filled with Joy in Christ, Strength in Christ, Grace in Christ, Love in Christ, and Hope in Christ. It is the truth of Christ abiding in us, through us and around us. In Christ, we are set free from all the chains that bind us so that we can live a life which shines forth the joy of knowing, embracing and cherishing God as our greatest and highest treasure. No longer must we be chained to our desires for someone to validate us or love us; He loves us with perfect love setting us free to love others. No longer are we chained to our needs for encouragement; because He is our encourager. No longer are we chained to our guilt or despair; because our guilt and shame died on the cross upon His shoulders—never to be resurrected again. We are free, each morning to seek His face- free from fear, guilt or shame. We are free to march up to His throne of Grace every evening to lay our burdens there at His feet of Mercy and leave them there. We are covered by His Calvary Grace for all of yesterday’s sins. We are given new Grace for this moment and this second. And We are promised future Grace for every moment that lies before us. [bctt tweet=” In Christ, we have all we need to live a life fully alive. “][bctt tweet=”In Christ, our lives can be ever overflowing rivers of JOY, HOPE, LOVE and WONDEROUS GLORY.”]

The song I chose for you today is JOY UNSPEAKABLE by Mandisa. Let this be your song today.

Christian Blog

How Can Suffering Be The Path To Exuberant Joy?

December 30, 2015 Effie Barba

How Can Suffering Be The Path To Exuberant Joy?

The Bible speaks a lot about Joy—true joy that is found in Christ (Romans 5:11), a joy that will never leave us (Isaiah 35:10) and joy overflowing (John 16: 22, 24). We want that!! Yet, what we sometimes don’t realize is that often it is found through suffering, sorrow and many trials. Our human hearts are born filled with sin. We want to seek happiness and to do it “our way”. Even for those of us who truly seek after Christ as our joy, we fight against the truth that many times our journey to understanding and experiencing real Joy in Christ leads us through great trials, pain and suffering.

As a young Christian, I searched to follow Jesus. Little did I know that my journey would lead me through failure, divorce, abuse, cancer, illness, widowhood, single motherhood, financial disaster, pains, sorrows, loneliness, and so many surgeries! Every step of the journey, God was using to transform my heart. He had to deal with my pride, my selfish desires, my self-exaltation, and my desire to prove to Him that I was worthy of the salvation He had so freely died to give me. I could not truly understand that my Joy was in Him alone; until He swept away all the cobwebs hidden in the deep recesses of my heart. He continues to do that every single day of my life. He continues to reveal those dark areas so that they might be cleansed. As He does that, my view of everything changes. He is able to then fill those corners with a vision of His Glory. As I am able to see His Glory clearer, my heart enlarges to be filled with His Love and His Joy. It is an ever upward and transforming change.

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