Can My Life Really Be A Witness For God?

October 7, 2015 Effie Barba

So often, when I look back over my life; I see all the times that I have failed to love God as I should. I see my failures looming like giants and God’s grace as greater still. The other day I heard from someone out of my distant past, who said; “Because of you, I found Christ. You had such a tremendous impact on my life.” Now, what is more amazing, when I remember that time in my life; I realized that it was God’s Grace that allowed them to see Christ through whatever blurred picture I was displaying. Truly, I remember a bumbling, faltering testimony. A candle that barely flickered and a stream that had so little water trickling through it. Through the scars, cracks and crevices of my life the Holy Spirit shone forth and had touched another’s soul. That for me is such a humbling thought; that God would be so gracious as to use someone like me to do His work. So, if you ever thought that you are a poor witness for Christ or ever worried that your testimony would be more of a disgrace than benefit to God? God has promised to be the rivers of life flowing through your heart and mine for others to see His Glory and come to Christ. Why do I say that?

JESUS PROMISE TO OVERFLOW OUR HEARTS WITH LIVING WATER

Remember that where we left off on Monday, Jesus had quietly gone up to the feast of the tabernacles and had been teaching in the synagogue every day. “³⁷On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ³⁹But this He spoke concerning the Spirit” (John 7 NKJV). Up until now in the book of John we have heard that Jesus has said that He is the living water, He is the bread of life and that He brings spiritual birth. He has presented this through His words and through the example of His miracles from changing the purifying water into wine to feeding the crowd. Now He takes this one step further by saying, “Not only will I be life to all who believe in me; but, I will fill them to the overflowing so they can spill over rivers of life to others.”

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Is God really in Control of our every circumstance?

October 5, 2015 Effie Barba

The crowd had left Him. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him because He proclaimed Himself to be God. And now His own brothers did not believe Him. Jesus had left His throne in heaven to come to earth to suffer and to die; yet, the agony of rejection must have weighed upon his humanity. As we turn to Chapter 7 of John we are told “After this, Jesus walked [from place to place] in Galilee, for He would not walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him”(AMP) Did He stay away from Judea for fear? Was He feeling dejected? No. He was at peace, knowing that His Father was in control. This is made evident with the opening discourse with His brothers in chapter 7. In fact, we see His brothers begin to chide Him when the feast of the tabernacles came. “²Now the Jewish^[a]Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) was approaching.³So His ^[b]brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples [there] may also see the works that You do.⁴No one does anything in secret when he wants to be known publicly. If You [must] do these things, show Yourself openly to the world and make Yourself known!” ⁵For not even His brothers believed in Him” (John 7 AMP)

I have heard many scholars say that Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go up as a miracle worker so they too could bask in the fame; but, as I read this again I see something quite different. I am reminded of Joseph’s story back in Genesis where he was so hated by his brothers and was sold into slavery. Remember that story? How Joseph saved his family later. How intricately God used every detail of the Old Testament saints lives to point a picture of Christ!! How in control of every detail of their lives and ours God really is. Hold onto that thought!!

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Christian Poetry

POETRY SUNDAY—SEEKING GLORY NOT HIS OWN

October 4, 2015 Effie Barba

Jesus never searched for human fame or honor. He rejected every chance for human pride or human glory while He walked on this earth. Instead, He continuously strove to bring all the Glory to His Father. Even in His obedience to die upon the cross, He displayed His love and trust of the Father who would raise Him from the dead. Because of His humility and lack of desire for His own Glory—He has been made most Glorious. Humility brings Glory to those who do not seek it for themselves.

SEEKING GLORY NOT HIS OWN

By Effie Darlene Barba

He did not seek for Glory-His Own

He longed to make His Father Known

Rejecting Pride and the fame of men

He bore Himself my guilt, my sin

He took my shame upon that cross

He never counted His pain a loss

Surrendered to His Father’s Will

He allowed His blood to freely spill

And as His Blood poured forth that grave day

He bowed His head to softly pray

Pardon for this sinner’s prideful heart

That from His love I cannot depart

Humbly bowing to the Father’s will

Made Jesus shine more glorious still

So while seeking Glory not His own

He was lifted high upon His throne

His Father’s pride and joy set ablaze

That all of heaven should sing His praise

“Glorious” the angel chorus sings’

“Lifted High above all earthly kings

The humble lamb who then was slain

Forever more He shall now reign”

And as I gaze upon that glorious face

To marvel at His beauty and His Grace

How can I give Him less than all?

Before His throne to humbly fall

Love so strong that strips this prideful heart

Of all desires, bidding them depart

Only Jesus is my precious king

The treasure to whom I long to cling

My joy, my hope, my true love song

Abiding in Him where I belong

[bctt tweet=”Jesus Christ humbly submitted to His Father’s Will, rejecting self exaltation or Glory”][bctt tweet=”Casting aside all human desire for acceptance or Glory, I must seek the honor &Glory of God”]

Revelation 5:11-13New International Version (NIV)

¹¹Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹²In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

New International Version (NIV)

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header 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

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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Would You Feast Upon The Suffering That Was Christ’s?

October 2, 2015 Effie Barba

Would You Feast Upon The Suffering That Was Christ’s?

He had turned the water into wine, healed the lame, and given sight to the blind. For this Jesus had gained many disciples who followed Him. They followed Him into the mountains to see His miracles. With great compassion, He fed the 5000 men plus their families from 5 barley loaves and two small fishes. They desired the miracles. They wanted with great desire that Jesus become King on earth to remove all their oppressions and to supply all their needs. They did not really believe that He was the Son of God; but, a prophet like Moses to lead them. As the crowd pressed more, Jesus slipped away to be alone with the Father. He did that regularly. Did He in His humanity need that time alone sitting in His Father’s presence? Would the crowd pressing to make Him King now be a testing of Satan? Yet, Jesus did not waiver from the Father’s will. Instead, Jesus went on to teach in the Synagogue as the crowd found Him and continued to follow.

Jesus is the bread of life to fill your spirit and soul. Come and feast at His table.

picture used permission 123rf.com/profile_subbotina

A TRAGIC FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND

As Jesus spoke, He told them that it had not been Moses who gave them bread, it was His Father who had supplied the bread. The crowd began to murmur again. Jesus told them that He was sent down from heaven and was the bread of life. Yet, more murmuring among the crowds. They did not see and did not understand. Jesus knew their hearts of disbelief. He pressed on to explain that “Verily, verily I say unto you. He that believeth on me, hath everlasting life.⁴⁹Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.⁵⁰This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.⁵¹I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6). Yet, they still did not understand that He was speaking of spiritual bread because they were so caught on their human desires here and now. They wanted bread to fill their bellies, not bread that fills their soul.

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Why Did The Crowd Leave Sad After Being Fed?

September 30, 2015 Effie Barba

Why Did The Crowd Leave Sad After Being Fed?

When I first met Dee at the jail, I was drawn to her. There was a brokenness and sadness mixed with a nervousness. She was one of a handful of women that seemed to over the next few years lay heavy on my heart and would be the ones I “took under my wings” to teach. When she got out of jail, I hired her to clean my house from time to time. I invested time and money into Dee’s recovery. She had said that she was saved and following Christ; but, there seemed no joy. She wanted God to pour “things” upon her. The church helped for a long time; but, her needs seemed insatiable and it was found that she intermittently would fail and return to her drugs or the prostitution for the drugs. As everyone in frustration, walked away—I couldn’t. She grumbled about God’s failure and how cruel the world was. One day, I asked, “Do you really know Jesus as your Savior?” Her reply, “I think so.” “If Jesus gave you nothing in return for your praise, would your praise Him anyway?” I asked. I pressed on; “If there were no heaven, would you love Him because He is worthy to be loved?” She said, “NO”. “Then I fear you may not know Him as your Savior” I replied. Over the next year, my finances changed and I could not help Dee; except, to be there to listen and advise when she called. She began to learn to love our friendship even if I had nothing I could give her. She kept reading her Bible as I suggested.

Then, one day it happened that she called. “I got it!!”She exclaimed. “What did you get, Dee?” With such enthusiasm, she then said; “Jesus is all I need. I understand that now.” That is when I finally saw her life take shape and for her to find happiness in whatever circumstance. Life didn’t suddenly become easy; but, she had found Christ as her Savior. No longer was she in search of a “miracle genie”; she now had the giver of life in her to guide her steps.

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