How can it be that God so Loved Me?

August 1, 2015 Effie Barba

It is God’s Amazing Love and Grace that saved me. I so want to learn to love Him with all my heart, to seek Him with all my being and to follow Him.

Lord, let me lay aside all else that I might follow you. Let me sit at your feet until I want nothing more than I desire you. You, who so willingly love me, who has taken all my brokenness that I might be made whole. Fill me with your joy, your love until there is none other than your Glory left to reflect back to you. And when my faith doth fail me, Lord be my faith that I may not stray from your dear presence.

artwork by Ronald Barba and used by permission for information go to http://www.barba-art.com

Today I wanted to share with you this amazing hymn written by Charles Wesley.

AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN

by Charles Wesley (1738)

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

It has been God’s Grace that endured such evil with great longsuffering so that I might see His Glory, be embraced by His Love, and be overwhelmed by His joy. Lord, take all of me, all my desires and mold them to thy will. [bctt tweet=”Let my heart become a polished mirror to reflect God’s Glory.Whatever the cost, let me follow Him”]

And Can it Be – Dan Bos – Lyrics

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any 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 regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Christian Blog

Can I Absolutely Seek God With All My Heart?

July 30, 2015 Effie Barba

Can I Absolutely Seek God With All My Heart?

So many cares of this world that draw us aside and pull at our hearts. So many distractions that cause us to seek after comforts and desires. We rush about our lives with so much on our minds; yet, the one true source of love, hope and joy is pushed aside into a small moment or time. We chase after careers, success, money, love, and things as though they will fulfill the desires of our hearts. Oh, certainly we must go about our days making a living, caring for our family, and our health. Yet, the question that we must consider is “what holds center stage in our hearts?” Have all these things become our first loves and thereby our idols? Or do we seek God first and let Him add that which we need? “³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6).

[bctt tweet=”What would one life fully devoted to seek God above all else look like? “]I truly want to know that in my life. I want to know how to love Him more, desire Him more, and fully abide in Him. Perhaps if I were to forsake everything and live in a tent in the woods away from the world, I could be alone with Him. Yet, then I would be unable to present Him to a world in need of God’s love. To love God fully with all my heart means I must love the world that He was willing to allow His son to die for. So, how do I live surrounded by the world and still seek God with all my heart?

Continue reading Can I Absolutely Seek God With All My Heart? →

Christian Blog

30 Days That Really Promises Victory, Joy, and Hope

July 28, 2015 Effie Barba

30 Days That Really Promises Victory, Joy, and Hope

There have been so many challenges over the last 30 days. Challenges that pushed and pulled at my heart. There came a moment when all of life seemed to crash in around me. Suddenly overwhelmed with tears, I cried. I cried for struggles my daughter was facing, I cried for the suffering and death of a woman I knew by name only, I cried for the struggles a son was facing, I cried for a husband’s loss of his life partner, I cried for mom, and I cried for all the suffering of the world. So, did all of this matter? Do all of these prayers make a difference? Yes, a resounding yes!! We live in a broken world. We will face sorrows and trials; but, that is even more why Prayer Matters and must be an important part of our daily lives as sojourners here. I could never face the chaos of this world were it not for a heavenly Father’s loving arms to run to!!

© Kevin Carden/Licensed from GoodSalt.com

[bctt tweet=”It is those early mornings alone with God that transforms me to know His Love, Joy&His Glory.”] It is there where He restores me, cleanses me, and renews my hope. He provides me with His guidance for today and the future before me.

I began this 30 day prayer challenge with you. This was an additional challenge to myself. Before this I believed I prayed a lot; but, I had not set aside a time specific to pray with no interruptions 30 minutes each day. At the same time, I promised you that I would post every day for all thirty days. God is so good and so gracious. Many mornings I awoke with no idea of what to write. By the time the 30 minutes of prayer ended; I had clarity to write for the day.

What are the benefits of such a prayer life?

Continue reading 30 Days That Really Promises Victory, Joy, and Hope →

Christian Blog

How to Really Discern God’s Will for Your Life

July 27, 2015 Effie Barba

How to Really Discern God’s Will for Your Life

How do I really know what God’s will for my life is? That is a question we often ask in our lifetime. We ask it about our relationships, about our careers, and about where to live. How can I know with certainty that the choices I make are the ones God desires for me? It must begin with prayer. We are on day 29 of this prayer challenge. The only way to know God’s will for your life is to spend time alone with God. There in the quiet hours with him, he will guide you through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Remember what Christ said in Luke 11:”⁹And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ¹⁰For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.¹¹If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?¹²Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Look very closely here. He did not say that whatever you ask, you will be given. He did say that “God will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.”

[bctt tweet=”The Holy Spirit will guide us, comfort us, and provide us with the wisdom of discernment we need for every situation.”]

Continue reading How to Really Discern God’s Will for Your Life →

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday-I Was There By God’s Grace

July 26, 2015 Effie Barba

I Was There by God’s Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

Across the room I saw her there

Seated in that chemo chair

I knew too well that empty stare

For I was there, yes, I was there

portrait used with permission 123rf.com

I crossed the room with gentle smile

To hold her hand, a little while

God’s love was all I had to share

For I was there, yes, I was there

She found Christ that day through me

While angels sung in Jubilee

And then I sat my chemo chair

As I was there, yes, I was there

Chorus

Would I lift up this cross?

And face all this loss

Would I willingly face all this pain?

Would I love you the same?

Though I don’t know your name

If I knew that my loss was your gain

Let God’s joy fill my heart

While His love I impart

Til I see your salvation is won

Let me show you His face

His love and His Grace

Let me point you to Christ, God’s dear son

The last two days we have been looking at grief, pain, and sorrow through a bigger lens. My question has been, “is there any sorrow to great to bear for the salvation of one soul?” If my trials, tribulations and sorrows are used by God to bring even one person to Christ; wouldn’t it be worth every tear I have shed? If my entire lifetime is but a split second in time compared to eternity; why wouldn’t I be willing to suffer a lifetime, if need be, so that one person might spend an eternity in the presence of God being showered with love, joy and glory? If I see my trials as God’s means to spread Grace to a world in need; wouldn’t I face trials differently? Are my trials an act of God’s Grace and Love to me and to the world? If I know that; then, why a gloomy face? Shouldn’t that knowledge fill my heart with joy, hope, compassion, and love? Yes, indeed; and that I learned through many tears and sorrows. God is my greatest treasure and my joy!! We are at day 28 of this 30 day prayer challenge. How have you been doing? I will return to my 3 day a week posting this week; but, I do encourage you to spend time alone with God every day.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

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.