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Do You Know God’s Sustaining Grace and Love Never Rests?

September 23, 2015 Effie Barba

Jesus spoke and the paralytic of 38 years, walked carrying the bed he had been lying on. He had not called to Jesus. It had been no act of faith on his part; because, he did not even know who had spoken to him. This was an act of grace and mercy that Jesus chose him. Jesus did seek him out again in the temple to heal his heart of sin as well; but, the first healing of the body had been just that to heal the body only. A random act of grace which displayed the healing power of Jesus as the Great Physician. All of this performed on the Sabbath day. Why? Jesus knew what the response of the religious leaders would be. What truth about God’s Glory was Jesus placing on display in performing healings on the Sabbath?

In the beginning, when Jesus beside His Father created the heavens and earth; they rested on the 7^th day. Not from fatigue. They paused and looked out at the beauty of the creation they had just completed. It was a magnificent, perfect sinless creation. They paused to rejoice in its beauty. A display of their own love, glory, and joy. Oh, yes; they knew that sin would enter the world and with sin they would not rest again until once more a new earth would be created with perfect beauty. Man’s selfish hearts would wreak havoc on their creation. Patiently, God would work. Preparing a way for man’s salvation. Providing enough sustaining grace so that the world would not be totally destroyed until that final day of judgement to come. (Deuteronomy 32). Every beautiful sunrise is a display of God’s sustaining Grace. God has not rested a single day from His Labor of Sustaining Grace so that we might have the chance to become His Adopted Children. [bctt tweet=”Every act of kindness, love, or mercy we have known is from God’s Hand of grace reaching out to us.”]

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Christian Blog

3 Truths of Hope to a Weary Heart

September 21, 2015 Effie Barba

What an incredible weekend!! Saturday, I was exhausted and all the good intentions to clean house, do the yard, and work on editing quickly turned into resting, listening to sermons, and pretty much doing none of the planned activities. At first, I was a bit frustrated with myself; then, I realized God did command us to rest and He had shut down my brain for a day for a reason. I too often do the same thing in my Christian life, I try to work to please God. He usually has to shut me down for a day so I can refocus and let Him work through me. Sunday, I posted a poem from the archives, went to 8 am service at The Crossing, sat with Lindsey a while, and then left to visit another church downtown. I had promised a friend I would visit; although, the friend wasn’t there when I arrived. At this second church, a lady made her way over and sat beside me. She had been widowed only a few months, the weight of which showed in her eyes. At moments, I could see the tears rise as she tried to hold them back. By the end of the service, I knew I had found a new friend and I would be returning to visit. I have learned that there are no accidents or coincidences in my life; God, uses it all to accomplish His purpose in His timing.

Then yesterday evening I met with a small group from my church. It was the initial meeting with this small group that I would be joining to study the bible with. When I had first received the invitation and noted that the group was couples, I had wondered why God chose a couples group since I have been alone for such a long time as a widow. I was a bit afraid that the awkward ache of “loneliness” would creep back in. It had been a long time since I had allowed myself to think that or to desire anything else beyond the quiet aloneness that I have with God. [bctt tweet=”Had my heart really been healed? Or would the scars of a broken heart rip open to bleed once more?”] I have yet to see for certain. Still, this I know.

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—My Betrothed

September 20, 2015 Effie Barba

Jesus is not just a king; he is a betrothed King—an engaged King. And soon he will be a married King. His betrothed bride is the people of God—the people who trust him, elect from every race and nation, the church. He came the first time 2,000 years ago to die for his bride—to pay a dowry, as it were, with his own blood. And he will come a second time to marry her and take us—his church—into the gardens and the chambers of his love and joy forever.—John Piper (Sermon: Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Past and Future)

What Wondrous Joy that my Beloved will return for me one day!! That day I will understand the depth of His love, will realize He is my greatest treasure, will see His Glory clearly, and will understand that HE IS everything my heart seeks!!

My Betrothed

By Effie Darlene Barba

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

How was it that He saw beneath

My filthy rags and did bequeath

His Crown to place upon my head

While taking all my shame instead

There’s nothing in this heart of mine

Could e’er deserve such love divine

I’ll never know what He did see

And yet, He did, He’s chosen me

He sent His counselor to prepare

My every flaw to then make fair

A righteous robe to then adorn

One day soon, One precious morn

My Lord, sometimes, I feel so frail

And fear my love for you will fail

Oh Love, my Love, I need you near

Your face to see, your voice to hear

Your letters pressed against my breast

A whispered prayer at each night’s rest

Awakened at some midnight’s hour

I feel your strength in me empower

Each day I live, I love you more

That on that Joy my heart doth soar

The trials, pains all fade away

While I await my wedding day

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

Are you joyfully awaiting His return, busily preparing for your wedding day with great anticipation? I would love to hear all about your wedding plans—Click here to comment.

[bctt tweet=”My betrothed hath gone to distant land Preparing all that He has planned Majestic Castle I am told With streets & walls of purest Gold”]

[bctt tweet=”one day soon He comes for me So I His Glorious Bride might be What Gracious wondrous love He’s shown He paid the price, made me His own”]

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at ArteDaBarba@gmail.com to discuss any art projects.

Picture used with permission of goodsalt.com/Kim Yongsung

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

Your True Desire Is The Gift Or The Giver?

September 18, 2015 Effie Barba

Your True Desire Is The Gift Or The Giver?

Jesus had made His journey through Samaria to a countryside and a people shunned as “half-breeds” or “dogs” by the other Jewish tribes. They were shunned because of their intermarriages with gentiles as well as their departure from traditional Jewish faith. Yet, Jesus went to Samaria and indeed the scripture said He “must go”. He had a mission in Samaria to arrive exactly in the moment the Samaritan woman would be arriving at the well to draw water. He went to a group that were outcasts by society and there to meet a woman who was an outcast even in that outcast society. Think about that!!

Jesus purposefully went to Samaria to save someone whom by the world’s standards was the lowest of the low, totally “unworthy” of salvation. Then, He used her to go and tell the other people in the village of the miracle that Jesus, the Messiah was there. She went to tell people who looked down on her and had rejected her. She wanted to share the “Good News”. That was an act of grace. As a result, in Samaria, many came to believe in Christ as the Savior of the world. They heard the Word of Christ and believed. “many more believed because of his own word… Now we believe….for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4). [bctt tweet=”They were saved because they believed in HIM, the Giver of life, the Savior of the World.”]

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Christian Blog

Why Not Be Discouraged When You Are Planting?

September 16, 2015 Effie Barba

As we left the story in John 4 last, the Samaritan women realized that Jesus was the Savior, the Messiah. With great passion, she left her water bucket behind and ran to tell everyone in the city. An unlikely missionary with a questionable voice; yet, God had sent her. She was a woman whose reputation forced her to go alone to draw water in the noonday sun. She was shunned by everyone and the one that all the town whispered about.

The disciples returned with food as the woman darted off. They wondered why Jesus had been talking to her; but, didn’t ask (as though they believed their thoughts were hidden from Christ). We know from the previous chapters that Jesus knew their hearts. He also knows our foolish questions, doubts, and fears. So, as they returned they encouraged Jesus to eat. Perhaps with a sense of pride and joy that they were returning with a gift for Jesus—the nourishment that He needed. Yet, His response once more puzzled them. Just like you and I so often are. They were focusing on the small picture—the here and now. Jesus was focused on the big picture—eternity. They offer Jesus the food and He replies, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” Well, they immediately begin to whisper among themselves, “Did someone else bring Him food?” Maybe what Jesus had was better? Maybe what the mystery person brought was better than what they had brought? Were they jealous? Were they disappointed? How often do we respond that same way to God? We bring in our tithes or we give up something and we stand waiting for God to pat us on the back and reward us. Have you ever done that? Then to find that God has a different plan?

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