Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday- Redemption is Mine

 

Hope, Love, and Joy fill my life because of God’s Grace.  Redemption purchased my heart and throughout all the years of my life, God chose to step by step transform my heart.  He has taught me of Him.  He has taught me of love.  He has shown me Joy. 

 

Inspiring light

 

Redemption is Mine

by Effie Darlene Barba


Redemption is mine

Oh what can it mean

Purchased as His

Washed and made clean


Tremendous the price

He paid for my life

When all that I did

Was cause him such strife


How wondrous the thought

I have been set free

My chains are now gone

Oh such jubilee


Embraced by His love

His Joy fills my heart

E’er in His presence

No way to depart


Oh how can I not

Give all that is mine

To follow His will

His Glory to shine

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015

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

7 Amazing Truths Found In the Vineyard of God

7 Amazing Truths Found In the Vineyard of God

As chapter 14 of John closes, Jesus had declared it was time to leave the upper room. There was so much He needed the apostles to understand. As they walked along the road, He continued to talk and to teach. Along the road, undoubtedly were grape vines or perhaps it was a vineyard that they passed along the way. Jesus gently, passionately began to speak again,

fruits of love

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

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Why Is It A Matter Of The Heart?

Why Is It A Matter Of The Heart?

As we looked at Monday, it really is the heart of the matter. Our love, though an imperfect, broken hearted love for Jesus is just that—it is a heart that is seeking after Jesus, longing to learn of love. It is not so much about our frailties nor our strengths as it is the heart of the issue. We see that most clearly in I Corinthians 13 where love is the key. So it is here. God looks upon the heart of man. With all the “righteousness of the Pharisees” they did not truly love Jesus; nor could they see Him for who He really was. Again Jesus presses on, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. I am your peace, your hope and your joy.” They asked, How if you go away? Once more came the piercing words, “If a man love me?” But, instead of it being the perfect following of the law; truly, it is a matter of the heart.

mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:23-27)

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The Most Piercing Question Of Jesus, "Do You Love Me?"

The Most Piercing Question Of Jesus, "Do You Love Me?"

“If you love me; keep my commandments and I will…” Jesus had just told the apostles, “don’t let your heart be troubled”; then comes these words. Words which reach out and penetrate deep into my heart as it must have Peter’s only 24 hours later when he denied Christ. What kind of love is this, Lord that I have for you? The kind of love that could not stay awake and pray while you agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. My love, the kind that denied you before the crowd!! I fear, these words cut deep into my own heart. It burns like a light reaching deep into the recesses of heart—like the questions Jesus later ask of Peter. “Peter, do you love me?” Is that not the same question that I too must face at the end of a long day in which I have allowed some desire—some selfish thought to fill my heart and mind so that I come to God with sorrow instead of rejoicing in His Love? Or when I have become angered with someone or been unforgiving—those words of Jesus echo loudly in my heart, “Do you love me?” Or when, Satan comes to torture my mind with all my failures, those moments when I longed for things I could not have. Those moments when I cried because I could not see that “Jesus was all I needed for Joy, Love, and Hope.” When I let the worries or the desires of this world beat deep within my chest; then, I become broken hearted by the question of Jesus, “Do you love me?”

do you love me

So, right after Jesus has told Peter, “You will deny me before morning break, 3 times”; His next words were: “Let not your heart be troubled; trust God and trust me.” Then comes these words, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” What commandments, Lord? I so want to!! I long to pour out my love toward you!! I want to love you better!! What commandments, Lord? “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday: I’d Traveled Far

 

 

My life’s journey has lead me to so many places and so wondrously has allowed me to meet so many amazing people along the way.  Today’s poem, I wrote in October 2013 as I was preparing to leave Orlando and move to Columbia, Missouri.  In 2003, I had left Springfield, Missouri to go to Orlando.  I was uncertain why God had sent me to Orlando; yet, I with some hesitation had gone.  Some many dear friends I met every step of this journey—so many have been beacons of light sent by God to guide me. 

overflowing joy

 

 

I’d Traveled Far

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

I’d traveled far across this land

Unto the eastern shore

Uncertain of what God had planned

Alone, I stood once more

I’d heard Him bid for me to go

Twas all I needed know


And then I saw, as time did pass

His plan begin unfold

I had been placed within His class

To learn His love untold

And as I saw His Glory Shine

His joy, His love now mine


I met dear friends along this way

That helped me as I grew

And others stumbling blocks did lay

God used to guide me too

That I might see His Grace His might

With Christ my guiding light


And Now I know that I must go

To leave these all behind

I wonder if my life did show

A Glimpse of God’s dear mind

And did my life His Glory shine

Within this mirror of mine


Oh, Lord I have this one request

When memories of me rise

That they might see how I was blessed

Your Grace my greatest prize

You took this broken, selfish heart

To fill Your Love Impart


So, can you Lord, use all I’ve done

Though blend of good and bad

To point them Lord to your dear son

His Grace, His Love did clad

A simple person such as I

With righteousness on High

I don’t usually include a song on  Poetry Sunday; but, today I shall.  The song I think so clearly speaks of my life’s journey is Call it Grace.

 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015

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.

 


Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments