Really, What Is The Most Agonizing Heartbreak Of All?

November 6, 2015 Effie Barba

It was early spring in Dallas with all the beauty of early flowers budding and a gentle soft breeze that caressed your face as you went outside. I was especially excited that day as I prepared for Pete’s return from Mexico. He had gone to visit his family as I had stayed behind to run the clinic. He had been gone for a month. Now, he was going to return. I had cooked his favorite foods. The house was spotless. With trembling hands of love, I carefully put on my makeup. I wanted so to sweep his heart away when he got off the plane. Meticulously dressed, I then got then turned to make certain Alberto and Ron were also dressed with their best—everything meticulously ironed and pressed as it should be. I loved my husband so much and wanted to bring joy into his life. Each son had made him a very special gift. Ron had drawn him a beautiful picture and Alberto had crafted a beautiful card. I placed their gifts carefully on the bed next to the meticulously wrapped gift box. Inside the box, I had placed a beautifully crafted sculpture of a tiger which I knew he would love. I was so excited with the gift I had found for him. One final look and everything in its place, I put the boys into the back seat of the truck.

We got to the airport with just enough time to park the truck and hurry in for the arrival of his plane. As he walked through the doors we were there and went straight to him. “What! Are you just getting here?” he snapped. Angrily, he walked on to the baggage claim. No hug for me nor his sons. We scampered behind him. I tightly held each boys hand as we hurried to keep up. Silence remained as we had gotten the bags. My heart groaned with such a sigh—but no sounds could be made. Finally in the truck, I once more tried to ask, “How was your trip?” “Terrible and I don’t want to talk about it. You didn’t even care enough to be here an hour early to wait for me,” came his reply. It was a long trip in silence. When we got home, he went to his room—shut the door and never came out. I gave the boys their dinner. Then, I got them ready for bed. Once they were asleep, I went to the spare bedroom and cried myself to sleep. With so much anticipation, I had wanted to give Pete joy, love, and a glimpse of wonder. He never mentioned the gift nor the cards. A few weeks later it sat on his desk; but, never a response or a thank you.

Have you ever with great excitement and anticipation waited with the perfect gift of love for someone only for them to not recognize it? Have you ever poured out your heart to someone; only to be rejected? Jesus, so well knows your heartache as well. Let’s look at

John 11:35 and the verses surrounding “Jesus wept.” Most of my life, I had heard theologians say that Jesus wept because of His empathetic sorrow as He watched the mourners cry. That is until one day I heard Ken Davis present, “It’s Enough to Make a Grown Man Cry.” He pointed out the truth that Jesus was coming to raise Lazarus from the dead. He was coming to display God’s Glory, Power and might. He came to bring a joy that could not be taken away. He came to present hope. He came to be the key to salvation. He came with everything that Mary, Martha, the Apostles and the Crowd could ever need. Yet, they didn’t see it. Read the whole chapter carefully and I think you will see that truth. He did not weep because Lazarus was dead. He wept because no one could see that He came with everything they needed to abundantly live a life filled with joy, hope, courage, and love. Jesus wept because they could not see that He was enough.

HOW OFTEN HAVE I CAUSED JESUS TO WEEP?

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces that day when Pete did not realize that I had done it all with love and that I only wanted to bring joy into his life. That was not the first time, my heart was shattered and certainly wasn’t the last. Human love will shatter your heart often because of all its flaws. Yet, I wonder how many times I have caused Jesus to weep because I didn’t realize He is enough. He has stood with open arms and a perfect unconditional love. In Christ, I have everything I need for a life full of joy, hope, faith, strength, love, victory and beauty. He has showered me with His righteousness, His love, His joy, and His glory. Yet, how often have I cried to Him or grumbled; thinking He wasn’t enough. How often have I caused Him to weep.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE

I pray that I learn to sing, “You’re My Everything.” What about you? Jesus is standing with His loving arms wide open with everything your heart needs to know joy. He wore the thorns upon His brow that He might offer you a thorn less rose. Will you accept this rose from He who loves you perfectly more than anyone else could ever love you?

Original Photo used with permission of Unsplash, quote is mine

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 to Become a Hero When You Really Want To Run

November 4, 2015 Effie Barba

How to Become a Hero When You Really Want To Run

Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus was preparing the apostles to be the men who would be the leaders of the church. They would be tasked with spreading the good news of the gospel. He was preparing a group of men and women who would be the first followers of Christ—the earliest Church. They would face opposition, trials, and great distress as they went about the task of spreading the good news of the resurrection of Christ. Indeed, they would lose their lives for their commitment to bringing the truth of salvation to the world. Often, we look at the early church and see all these people as “larger than life” heroes who must have been supermen and women to start with. Yet, the truth is—they weren’t any different than you or I. They were simple people. Many were uneducated laborers. They were fearful, full of doubts, and slow to learn faith. Jesus had three years to transform this bunch of misfits into the heroes they would become. How did He do that? What can you and I learn from their journey?

Can God really make me a hero? How?

picture used by permission of Ronald Barba, all copyrights are his.

In chapter 11 of John we are shown a glimpse of Jesus teaching His apostles about faith and revealing to them a glimpse of God’s Glory. There is no hope for salvation without first seeing a glimpse of God’s glory and desiring it above all else. Jesus needed for these followers to see the Father’s Glory as revealed in the Son. Only then, could their own lives

be transformed to display God’s Glory to the world. Even though God’s Glory surrounds us every day in the beauty of the creation, in the miracles of life, in the moments of grace that pass through our lives and the random acts of kindness we face; yet, we too often close our eyes to their display. We need to have our eyes open to see His Glory. We need to understand the greatness of His power toward us. My desire for me and for you is “¹⁷That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:¹⁸The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,¹⁹And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead” (Ephesians 1). This is what Jesus needed these followers to also understand before He went to the cross. He needed to prepare them for what was to come.

JESUS PURPOSEFULLY TARRIED IN HIS ARRIVAL

So, when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness; he waited. We looked at the reasons He waited in Monday’s post. We know that He waited because He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus so much that He wanted to display God’s Glory with such power that they would not ever need to fear again. He wanted to show them what real joy could be found through faith. He wanted them to know the truth in their heart of hearts, not merely in their mind. He wanted the same for His apostles and many who would believe as a result of the miracle He was about to perform.

A GRUMBLING GROUP OF COWARDLY FOLLOWERS

When Jesus then turned to the apostles and said, “Let us go into Judaea again” (John 11:7). Of course, we expect the apostles quickly said, “Yes, Lord where ever you want us to go we are willing to follow.” Right? No, that wasn’t what happened. Instead much like you and I do too often, they presented an argument against the idea. Listen to their response in John 11:8. “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” In other words, “Really Jesus? Don’t you remember they tried to stone you? You want to go there?” They were not wanting to face those “stone throwers” again. After all they might get hit with stones as well.

JESUS RESPONDS

So, Jesus responds with, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. ¹⁰But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him” (John 11:9-10). That would clear everything up, right? Or do you think they stood there scratching their heads much like we do to that response? Jesus had already told them that He was the light of the world. As long as they are with Him, they have the light and cannot stumble. He is all they need where ever they might go. The same is true for us. So the first step to becoming a hero when we want to run is to recognize that He is with us every step of this journey. He will light our path. In Him, we will never walk in darkness.

COWARD’S OBJECTION #2:

So, then Jesus tells them that Lazarus is sleeping and He must go to awaken Him from the sleep. To this they responded, “Well, if he is sleeping; he must be doing well; so why should we go? Shouldn’t we just let him sleep?” They were rationalizing why not to go—still being frightened by the “stones” they might meet. Don’t we do the same in reference to those who are “sleeping their unbelief?” We rationalize that we shouldn’t try to reach those whom we meet along the street. After all shouldn’t we only witness to those who come to the church? Shouldn’t we reserve our testimony for those who want to hear? Let them stay in their state of spiritual sleep!! It is safer that way. Jesus reply, “Lazarus is dead.” Here the truth comes forth, “those who are asleep spiritually are actually dead spiritually.” Unless we go to awaken them, they will remain eternally dead. So, step 2 to becoming a hero when we want to run: Recognize the cost of our running may be the eternity of a soul. What is the value of one person’s eternal soul? Of everything else that we think is valuable to us on earth, isn’t the salvation of one person’s eternity of greater value? This entire life is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity.

COWARD’S OBJECTION #3

Then Thomas says to the other apostles, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). Ok, Jesus, we will go and face our death because you say go; but, why should we just go and die when he is dead already. Have you ever sounded that way? “Ok, God. I am doing what you said; but I really think this is a bad idea!” I would expect that all of us have at some time. I know I have at times pouted as I faced whatever God had asked of me. Only, afterward was I able to see the magnificent Glorious Miracle of God in the midst of what I had thought was hopeless. That is exactly what happened here. Jesus called forth Lazarus from the dead—He displayed God’s Glory to all who were present. Even those who had reluctantly followed were a part of this magnificent display of God’s splendor and glory. Step #3: Recognize that God will display His Glory in us, through us, and surrounding us in the midst of our most difficult circumstances; because of His love for us. This is true even when we reluctantly follow like the apostles did in this case. When we run we only run away from realizing His joy and hence we head straight into miserable.

So how do we become heroes when we want to run? We rely on the only one who is our light, our hope and our truth. He will accomplish His work in us and through us. He will display for us His Glory with such magnitude step by step until we too will one day stand like heroes instead of running away with excuses.

The song I chose for you today is: We have seen God’s Glory by Steve Green. As you listen closely, realize that as we see His Glory we will display that Glory—step by step we too are transformed into the image of Christ. “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, the picture used today and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

Christian Blog

5 Reasons Why Jesus Waits and Your Unshakeable Joy

November 2, 2015 Effie Barba

5 Reasons Why Jesus Waits and Your Unshakeable Joy

This journey of life sometimes is tough. Our hearts are ripped in pieces when we watch a child suffering or a loved one battling cancer. Divorce, death, illness, suffering, financial ruin, tragedies are all a real part of our lives. We look into heaven too often with hearts that just don’t understand why. We plead for answers and God says, “Wait” or worse, we hear silence as we wait.

Jesus had left Bethany and was teaching “across the Jordan” where many came to believe in Him. While there, Jesus was sent word that Lazarus was sick. “⁵Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.⁶When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was” (John 11). Mary, Martha and Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. They believed that He was the Messiah and could perform miracles. They loved Him, trusted Him, and believed He would come. I can imagine they watched the road, waiting for Him to arrive. It was with great anticipation, they watched for Him and they watched Lazarus. They knew that Jesus could heal Him and believed that He would; yet, Lazarus did not show any signs of getting better and Jesus didn’t arrive. In fact, Lazarus died; while Mary and Martha waited for a miracle. Their sorrow made heavier because they knew that if Jesus had merely spoken, Lazarus would have lived. It was in deepest of despair that they buried their brother. Didn’t Jesus care? Why didn’t Jesus come?

Isn’t that what we ask when our hearts are breaking and no miracle comes? Some would say it is a lack of faith that blocks the miracle. Is it? Or isn’t it our faith that makes the silence more agonizing? We know that God is ABLE; but, has chosen not to respond. What are we to do with that? Too often, we allow Satan to tell us that it is our sin, our failure of faith, and our guilt that causes God not to love us enough to answer our prayer. But that is just a lie of Satan. The answer is given us here in John 11. If we understand the reasons why Jesus waits; then we can trust Him even when He waits. There are 5 reasons why Jesus waits revealed in John 11 and each of the 5 are loving reasons that will lead to your finding abounding joy, hope, and faith. Let’s take a look at all five.

REASONS WHY JESUS WAITS

1. He loves us, so He waits. It is right there in verse 5 to 6. Because He loved them, He waited. It wasn’t a lack of love that caused Him to wait. He knew that they were anxiously looking for Him. He knew that their hearts were in agony. But He also knew that He was going to show them something so wondrous that never again would they grow anxious. He was going to give them a joy, hope and peace greater than anything they could imagine. He wanted them to see the magnificence of God’s Glory in such a manner that they would never know fear, anxiety or agonizing sorrow again. Because He loved them so much, He waited.

2. Jesus waited so He could display God’s Glory. “⁴But when Jesus heard about it he said, “The purpose of his illness is not death, but for the glory of God” (John 11 TLB). The crowds and people had many been mesmerized by the miracles of Jesus; but, still did not realize the Glory of God that had been displayed. They had not come to seek God for His beauty, His grace, and His Glory. Instead, they only sought their own pleasure in what they could gain themselves from the miracles. They wanted the miracles. Jesus waited so that the crowd of mourners would be present surrounding the tomb. He was about to display God’s Glory as the giver of life itself.

3. Jesus waited so that He could foreshadow His own resurrection and the Glory that would be His on that day. Jesus knew that Mary, Martha and the disciples would mourn when He died on the cross. He wanted to show them His power over death. He wanted to give them a glimpse of hope for the dark moment they would face as He hung on the cross. What better way to foretell of His coming resurrection from the grave than to demonstrate that His Father had power over death. “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.¹⁵And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe” (John 11).

4. Jesus waited so that the truth of His words could be transformed into heart felt reality in their lives. As we get closer we hear Martha say that she believes that whatever Jesus asks the Father, he can do. Still, she hesitates when he requests the stone be rolled back. She says she believes that Jesus is the resurrection; yet, she continues to weep over the death of Lazarus. Words mean little until they become real to us. I can say that “All things work together for my good.” But, I don’t rejoice in trials until those words become an anchor of truth for me.

5. Jesus waited so that He could give Abounding Joy–Joy greater than anything they had ever known. Ah, the human heart. We so quickly become complacent or content. We lay aside our daily prayers, our Bible study when all seems to be going well. We quickly say, “Thank you God for all these blessings.” We are happy with little counterfeit joys. Abounding Joy in Christ—that often comes only after waiting for an answer. When the “light of the knowledge of God” shines deep into our hearts and souls. Joy, hope and love overflowing like fountains of living water. That kind of joy is often only found after a season of drought.

When God waits to provide an answer to your prayer, remember this. He is doing it because He loves you so much that He desires that you see a true glimpse of His glory so that never again will you have to face anxiety. He wants to give you a joy that cannot be taken away by any circumstance this world will bring. He is preparing you for a future filled with His Hope, His Love, His Glory and His Joy. [bctt tweet=”Yet a little while and you will see God’s Glory in the midst of your circumstances.”] [bctt tweet=”God’s Glory will rise and you will see your gift in waiting becomes unshakable faith.”]

The song I chose for you today is Glorious Unfolding

Have you ever had to wait for an answer from God and then were amazed? I would love to here of your story. Click here to share your comments or your story.

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday-My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

November 1, 2015 Effie Barba

Have you ever awoke with a heaviness of heart and really did not know why? I did that yesterday. It was as though all that I knew about God’s grace was being attacked and hope was a distant memory only. As the day went by, I focused on songs, scriptures and sermons. I remained in a steady and constant state of prayer until the sadness finally left. This journey sometimes would cause our hearts to despair; but, we certainly don’t have to stay there. There are times when Satan tries to remind us of our frailties or tries to remind us of our unworthiness; but, we don’t have to stay there, either. Then there are times that we may feel despair because there is something God desires to show us or because He needs us to reach out sympathetically to others in the Kingdom. Sometimes God allows my heart to despair so that I might write a poem for someone in the Kingdom, maybe you—one that may touch your heart right whe dmtas0055 re you are today. I do not know if you are hurting today. If so, I do not pretend to know why you are sad or why your heart may be filled with fear; but I do know that the Good Shepherd is singing a lullaby over you as He pulls you free from the thorny brush that your heart is trapped in. He loves you with an everlasting love. You are never too far for Him to seek you, find you and save you. My entire life has proven these 7 truths about God’s love—1. He is faithful 2. He loves me unconditionally 3. He is a kind and gentle shepherd who wants to lead me into green pastures of joy, hope and peace. Those green pastures can only be found in Christ—abiding in His love. 4. He willingly gave His life that I might find life eternal in Him, through His suffering I might find joy. 5. He never gives up on me. He has a perfect plan of love to finish the work He began in me. 6. No sorrow enters my life without purpose. That purpose is always ultimately for my joy and for the good of the Kingdom. 7. It has been His Grace and Grace alone that wooed this heart of mine.

This poem I wrote for anyone who feels despair today. My dear friends, we all need a reminder sometimes of God’s Grace and love which sings over us with a Lullaby whenever our hearts are heavy.

My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

By Effie Darlene Barba

Awakened with fear I do not know why

Struggling to pray, I really must try

Thoughts whirling, twirling around in my brain

Unharnessed they fly, I cannot constrain

Screaming within all the guilt and the shame

I know it’s my fault and I am to blame

Though I wanted to follow, I turned away

I was the one who had wandered astray

I struggled to find a verse from your word

To comfort my soul, a hope to be heard

In the midst of my darkness, sorrow and pain

A soft, gentle sound, a song’s sweet refrain

My shepherd’s dear voice was calling my name

My eyes filled with tears, as nearer He came

Trapped in the thicket and thorns of my heart

I longed for release, a chance, a new start

Chorus

Then the words of His song grew ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

When the sorrows of life cause you to roam

My lullaby song will lead you back home”

Forgetting His pain, the thorns He did tare

Until I was freed from that dark hidden lair

He lifted me out from the darkness within

Forgiven I was for my doubt and my sin

Letting go of all else in His arms I did rest

Protected, beloved, undoubtedly blest

He is my dear love, my greatest treasure

Joy that exceeds the lure of life’s pleasure

Chorus

His lullaby song rings ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

[bctt tweet=”Where ever you go where ever you are My Glory will shine as your guiding star”]

[bctt tweet=”When the sorrows of life cause you to roam My lullaby song will lead you back home””]

Has the Good Shepherd ever rescued you from the thorns and thistles? Or do you have a poem you would like to share? click here to leave your comment or prayer request. If you prefer to contact me privately, email me by clicking the contact button below–I will keep you in my prayers always

Above picture used by permission of GoodSalt.com/ Darrel Tank

Christian Blog

YOUR LIFE IS HANGING IN THE BALANCE! YOUR VERDICT IS?

October 30, 2015 Effie Barba

YOUR LIFE IS HANGING IN THE BALANCE! YOUR VERDICT IS?

“The Jews took up stones again to stone him” (John 10:31). What was it that Jesus had said or done to insight such hatred? They had asked them to tell them once and for all whether He was the Christ. He had responded with “I already have and you don’t believe me.” So, once more He proclaimed the truth clearly, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus had proclaimed himself to be God. He had left no room for “being merely a good prophet” or a “religious teacher.”

Your life hangs in the balance!! What is your verdict?

The entire discussion throughout John 10 was that. Either Jesus was the one true good shepherd promised throughout the Old Testament or He wasn’t. He stood on the truth of having fulfilled every word of the prophecies. He stood on the truth that He was yet to die for the “sheep”—all who would believe in Him. He foretold of His own resurrection; yet, these men blinded by their own pride filled arrogant religiosity wanted to stone Him. He didn’t wear the right clothes. He hadn’t come to them with words to pump up their own prideful hearts. After all, they were the scholars and certainly they thought God would have come to “pat them on the back for all their labor.” Instead, Jesus had come and pointed out their hypocrisy. His remarks were insulting to them. He had suggested that they were the thieves and robbers!! He had dared to say they were not even of the sheepfold of God. Listen to the words of Jesus.

Continue reading YOUR LIFE IS HANGING IN THE BALANCE! YOUR VERDICT IS? →