How Is God’s True Love Displayed In A Friend?

December 21, 2015 Effie Barba

Throughout this lifetime, I have been a student of love. My journey was not always smooth sailing; but, the search to discovering the truth of love rarely is. Along this road, I have had my heart shattered at times; usually, because my own heart needed what others could not give. Love born out of need is always wanting and cannot ever satisfy the hungry soul. I have loved my children with a love that would be more sacrificial; yet, as I look back along the way that too I at times failed. Though my heart longed to love them with a more perfect love; the execution was not always perfect. The sorrows, brokenness and failures would cause me to withdraw into a cocoon—hoping that the hard shell would prevent any further pain entering my heart or soul. Yet, that is not where one can remain; because within that cocoon all joy, hope and life dies.

God so gently, lovingly along this journey has placed friends within my life at just the right moments. Those whom I could allow in without fear. The friends with whom I could share my deepest sorrows, my darkest failures and yet, they would remain steady and constant. Step by step they would lead on along this journey. They have been like angels of truth revealing God’s love to me. Through them, I have learned of what love really is. God has revealed Himself through them, His word and His abiding presence with me.

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday- Redemption is Mine

December 20, 2015 Effie Barba

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.

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

December 18, 2015 Effie Barba

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,

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.²Every 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. ³You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.⁴Abide 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. ⁶If 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. ⁷If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will^[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

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Blog

Why Is It A Matter Of The Heart?

December 16, 2015 Effie Barba

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.

“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.²⁴He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.²⁵These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.²⁶But 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.²⁷Peace 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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Christian Blog

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

December 14, 2015 Effie Barba

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?”

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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