What Is Your Greatest Treasure, Really?

November 11, 2015 Effie Barba

It was late November 2006 when I had this nagging voice inside that urged me to send $500 to Truth for Life as a onetime gift. I had learned through the worst financial times to always trust God and that began with tithing (even when the money was tight). For me it was not a ritual, it was the least I could do and it was a prayerful act of faith and love. Beyond that I was generous to give whenever I felt God’s beckoning voice to give to others. I had just bought the house in 2005 and my escrow had not been in the monthly payments. Unfortunately, I had not done well at saving the taxes for that year and would need to pay nearly 2700.00 in December for taxes. I did not have the $2700.

I spent several days in prayer reminding God that I needed that 500 plus even more. Still, that voice inside could not be quieted. So, I wrote the check and mailed it to Alistair Begg’s ministry. Two weeks later, I received a $2500.00 bonus from my job. Every other year, before and after my bonus had been either $100 to $200. That year was different. When I rushed to tell my boss thank you, I was nearly in tears. Then, I told him how I knew it was God who moved his heart to give me exactly what I needed that year. He had been God’s instrument whether he believed or not. This is not the prosperity gospel. This is the story of obedient, sacrificial love and trust in a God who will supply my needs. God’s promises are not for expensive cars, fancy houses, or everything my heart desires; but, His promises are to provide what I need as I trust Him. That was a lesson He has shown me all along the way. If I see Him as my greatest treasure, I will always keep a wholesome perspective of money and possessions as well. Which brings us to the contrasting views concerning money of Mary and Judas as we see them in John 12.

THE ANOINTING OF JESUS BY MARY

On His journey back to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped in Bethany. He knew that the coming events would be those that lead Him to the cross. It was for this that He had come to the world to be the sacrificial lamb. It was nearing the time of the Passover and He would be the ultimate sacrifice His Father demanded for the price of mankind’s sin. In Bethany, He had stopped to see His friends once more and there was a large feast prepared in His honor. Martha was scurrying about as always serving the guests. This was her way of showing her love. Lazarus was leaned back, seated at the table with Jesus. He must have been clinging to His every word. After all, Jesus had raised him from the dead earlier that same year. Then Mary took a pound of spikenard worth a year’s wages (about $25,000 at that time) and poured it upon the head of Jesus and then His feet where she then dried His feet with her hair. She did not care about the cost. She wanted to shower upon Jesus her most prized possession as a display of her love, devotion, and total commitment to Him. This may have been all she had for her future, perhaps it was a part of her dowry, or some precious heirloom. We are not told of what greater significance the ointment may have held for Mary. We are only given a glimpse into her humbled heart filled with love for her Master and Savior. She was willing to give Him all that she had freely with all of her heart.

JUDAS OUTRAGED

Ah, but Judas became outraged. He was the money man. He carried the purse and quickly condemned her because this money could have been used “to feed the poor.” Sounded like an honorable thing to do. Why should this money be wasted this way? The truth being, Judas had joined in the following of Jesus so that he could be a part of the rich and the famous. He believed that Jesus would rise as the Messiah, become King, and as His purse bearer; Judas would be rich. So, Judas did believe in Jesus. Judas desired wealth and fame alongside Jesus. There are some amongst the religious who are very much like Judas. We see that among the large numbers who follow after the “prosperity gospel” of name it/claim it. They too, like Judas are filled with greed, selfish desire, and pride. Perhaps, Judas was the first prosperity gospel believer.

RESPONSE OF JESUS

“Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always” (John 12 7-8). Jesus has been preparing his disciples for the coming events. They did not want to know the truth; but, Jesus knew that they would remember His words after His resurrection. He needed to prepare them for the years of service and sacrifice that would be theirs as they began to spread the gospel. He needed them to see that He is their greatest treasure. Judas began to realize that there would be no worldly prosperity gained by following Jesus. That was when he chose to betray Jesus for $1000.00.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Do you love and seek after God as your greatest treasure or do you seek Him that you might gain earthly treasure? Remember Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6 that earthly treasure is but fleeting. We cannot serve two masters. Either we choose to serve God or our fleshly desires. What is it that you most desire today? Do you desire God above all other earthly pleasures? Would you be willing to give Him your greatest earthly treasure because you love Him above all else? He has promised that when it comes to our needs, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). He will richly bless you with His Joy, His Hope, His Love, His Glory, and eternal life with Him. What amazing love and Grace toward us who deserve none of this.

He gives me everything I need and with holds those things which I might think I want so I can always keep my eyes focused on Him. I trust Him to always know what is best. It is my prayer that He always keeps my eyes focused on Him. I pray the same for you today.

Listen to Cece Winans sing “Mary’s Alabaster Box” I do not know the cost of the oil in Your Alabaster Box; but, my question is this. [bctt tweet=”Whatever the cost of the oil in your “Alabaster Box”-are you willing to pour it out for Jesus?”]

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.

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5 Promises of Joy for All Who Trust God

November 9, 2015 Effie Barba

5 Promises of Joy for All Who Trust God

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He had displayed God’s Glorious Power over life. He had given the apostles and disciples a glimpse of what was to come; although, they still did not fully understand at that time. Yet, of the crowd that was gathered at the event—some believed in Jesus and some did not. There were some who ran to tell the Pharisees what they had seen. It would be hard to say what they were thinking. Did they want to gain the praise of these men? How had they watched such a magnificent display of God’s Glory and still not believe? They were skeptics of their own eye witnessed account or perhaps they believed that this miracle was some hoax. Whatever their reason, they ran quickly to tell the priests. Up until now, the Pharisees had plotted to kill Jesus by sudden out bursts of anger for his “blasphemy.” He had made them look like fools too often. Now the Pharisees and Sadducees would meet together. They would conduct a trial of Jesus without His presence. Caiaphas was the appointed High Priest over the Jewish Nation. He was appointed as High Priest with the blessings of the Roman rulers for his political savvy and ability to keep peace among the Jewish nation during their submission to the Romans. In such, He had been able to negotiate the protection of the temple as well.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE LEADERS

Caiaphas looked at the situation in horror. Instead of marveling at the miracles of Jesus and seeing that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, he feared what political upheaval would occur as a result of Jesus’s miracles. Suddenly, he knew his own powerful position was threatened. If the Jewish people gathered behind this Jesus to follow Him; then, there would be war with the Romans. It was for that reason that Caiaphas’s verdict was to “kill” Jesus. Yet, the irony of all ironies comes in the words that came from Caiaphas’s mouth. “You know nothing at all! Nor do you understand that it is expedient and politically advantageous for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish” (John 11:49-50 AMP). Think about this!! It actually was God’s plan from before creation; yet, God spoke through this prideful, self-serving unbeliever to accomplish His own plan.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER LIFE AND THE DEATH OF JESUS FOR JOY

“¹⁴Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses…. ¹⁵But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one (Adam) many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Romans 5). It was God who had sentenced Christ to die to pay the penalty for our sins, long before Caiaphas had ever been born. Look at Isaiah 53—Jesus was the Lamb.

GOD USED CAIAPHAS TO FULFILL ISAIAH 53:

²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.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.⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.¹⁰Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.¹¹He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU AND ME?

1. God is sovereignly in control of every detail of my life. There is nothing that can enter my life but that He has ordained it for my good as His child.

2. God was willing to sacrifice His own Son that I might find in Him my greatest treasure and joy. He will move all of Heaven and earth to accomplish that in my life.

3. I can trust Him even in the storms; because, He knows what is best

4. God loves me with a perfect love

5. God will accomplish in me and through me all that He has planned to both bring Him Glory and to display His Glory through me. Even if that means I must be purified by fire.

Knowing this, I can find joy in Him through any circumstance. So can you if you know Him as your Father!!! The question then is, “Do you know Christ as your Savior?”

The song I chose for you today is Grace Wins

Christian Poetry

TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

November 8, 2015 Effie Barba

“I Am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness…..¹⁸And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” (Lamentations 3)

This journey at times may seem filled with sorrow, afflictions or heartache; yet, the one thing that is certain is God’s faithfulness, His love, and His mercy to all who humbly turn to seek His face. In the midst of the sorrow, He brings us His joy, His love and His hope for each new day dawning. We must only open our eyes to see Glory.

TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

by Effie Darlene Barba

My life-so filled with hopes and dreams

Lay shattered at Your feet

So many tears, so many pains

I laid before Thy seat

Can I look upon Your face of love

And question what You’ve done?

For You have been my only hope

My only morning sun

You’ve seen my heart when crushed with pain

Your hands have held it tight

When I have been so weak, so frail

You’ve shown Your strength, Your might

You’ve held me close within Your arms

When darkness filled my night

And when I could not see my way

Your eyes, they gave me sight

I lay my life within Your hands

That You may heal my soul

And keep my eyes upon You Lord

That I may reach Your goal

Shine forth Thy grace, Thy mercy Lord

And let me be Thy light

That all may see Your eyes of love

The blind, they might have sight

Let not the sorrows, nor the pains

Bring bitterness within

And give me strength to walk this path

Protect my heart from sin

I lay my heart, my soul, my dreams

Before Thy throne of love

I lift my eyes to You, My God

And seek Your will above

Thou art the only one I need

To fill my heart with glee

It is Your face, my one true love

Tis all I need to see

So lift me up and hold me close

Reveal Thy love divine

That through the holes within my heart

A world might see You shine

And if the sorrows of my past

Can touch a wayward one

I thank you Lord for each dark path

That lead them to Your son

I praise You now from mountains high

For each dark path I’ve trod

Twas there I found Your heart, Your love

Twas there I found You God

What great and wondrous joy I know

Because You are my king

And though the path I cannot see

My heart will trust and sing

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

I’ll skip with joy along this path

Though darkness may surround

Because I know You hold my hand

My feet will e’er touch ground

I cannot fall outside Your love

I cannot lose my way

I’ll hold my broken dreams once more

And see them real, one day

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

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.

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Really, What Is The Most Agonizing Heartbreak Of All?

November 6, 2015 Effie Barba

Really, What Is The Most Agonizing Heartbreak Of All?

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

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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