What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?

August 12, 2015 Effie Barba

What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?

We have been looking at the unique way that John’s gospel has introduced Christ. He began by saying that Christ was the Word of God, was God and was with God from eternity past. God’s oath to send a Savior was fulfilled in Christ. God’s truth was revealed in human form. Then we saw that John presents Christ as the light of the world. The only true light of life that shines into the heart of man to reveal the gospel of truth. Light also reveals the depth of darkness that is present in the heart of man. The more I know of God’s word, the more I understand His majesty and righteousness; the more I recognize my utter depravity. As I begin to understand His righteousness, I realize that my best efforts of human righteousness are just filthy rags in comparison. Next, we see John write, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He has presented Christ as the Word, the one true light and the portrait of glory. He goes on to say that “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father hath declared Him” (John 1:18)

GLORY REVEALED

God had even told Moses that no man could see the fullness of His Glory and live, so that Moses was hidden in a cleft of the rock when God passed by so Moses could see a glimpse of Him. Yet God sent His only begotten son, full of glory to provide the means for mankind’s salvation. In the redemptive work of Christ we see diverse aspects of God’s Glory. We are able to see God’s perfect righteousness displayed.

Continue reading What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ? →

Christian Blog

How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

August 10, 2015 Effie Barba

How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

Christ commands us in Matthew 5:13-16 to be salt and light to the world; yet, how do we as Christians do that? We jump out of bed, scurry off to work, and for the most part live lives filled with chaos. We have responsibilities surrounding us. Dinner must be cooked, the meeting at school, the family obligations, and in our hurry-scurry world where is there time to be the beacon of light to the world around us? And salt? How can we add savor to life when we are barely surviving each day ourselves?

[bctt tweet=”CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. THE LIGHT OF LIFE ETERNAL”].

Didn’t John in the beginning of his gospel say that the only true light was Jesus? “⁶^[p]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This same came for a witness, to bear witness of that light, that all men^[q]through him might believe.⁸He was not ^[r]that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.⁹^[s]This was ^[t]that true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1 NIV). John had just introduced Jesus as the Word (God’s Promise, God’s Oath and God’s truth) to the world. Then John said that Jesus was the only true light of the world. Not even John the Baptist could be the true light; yet, John was to “bear witness of the one true light.”

[bctt tweet=”My only hope of being a light that shines in a darkened world is Jesus in me. “]“⁵For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4).

FRAGILE, BROKEN VESSELS OF LIGHT

Herein lies the mystery. It is sometimes in the very midst of our chaos, in our trials, and in our sorrows that these fragile vessels are able to allow the light of Christ to shine forth. Through the scars and the cracks of our own lives, Christ’s light becomes brighter. Our hearts become softened, gentler, and able to stretch for with love and kindness. When I am a light that shines in mid-day sun, no one can see me or be drawn toward Christ’s light. If I am a light of hope in darkness only then can I be seen by men and they be drawn toward Christ. In the deepest darkest valleys, Christ can shine forth before me, surrounding me and through me.

HOW CAN I BE THAT BEACON OF LIGHT?

1. Keep my eyes focused on Christ. The only way to do that is through prayer and reading His word daily. He is the only true source of light. All that other stuff that we think must come first, actually gets done in less time if we begin and end our day with God. We don’t lose time, we gain time. Try it.

2. Let His love fill my heart and guide me to love. Without Him I cannot love as I should love. My heart tends to become occupied with self, so I need to be filled with His spring of living water. I need the very essence of God’s love to overflow through me by allowing the Holy Spirit in me to reign supreme. How? Each morning ask God to guide you in love. Simple, but true. He will when we ask.

3. Recognize that our struggles are opportunities to shine God’s light of truth to the world. Our reaction to trials changes when we see them through the eyes of God.

4. Trust God to guide your every step. He will transform you into the likeness of Christ as He has promised.

5. Savor Christ and His joy will light up the world around you. Then you will be both salt and light to the world.

[bctt tweet=”Christ is the true light, I must lay aside myself to let Him shine through the cracks of…”]this fragile vessel of mine.

Have you a story about when your hope in darkness was like a light? Click here to tell me your story. I would love to hear from you.

The song I chose for you to enjoy today. Light of the World

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. 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 Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

Photograph used by permission ©123ref/yelenayemchuk

New International Version (NIV)

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 Poetry

Poetry Sunday: Natalie’s Song

August 9, 2015 Effie Barba

I have been so amazed by God’s wondrous grace in my life. He has blessed me with gifts overflowing, so much more than I ever deserved. He gave me children and now grandchildren that are so precious, loving, and kind. What is more amazing is how I have watched His Grace reach out to teach each and everyone of Himself. It has been His Grace that lead them to a knowledge of Him. “⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.⁹He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.¹¹For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.¹³Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.¹⁴For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.¹⁷But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103)

What Amazing Grace toward me that He would bless me with the time I have spent with Natalie, my granddaughter. I hope you enjoy this song for her.

Natalie’s Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

The twinkle in her deep brown eyes

The smile that lights her face

Her words at times so deep and wise

With gentle touch of grace

She laughs and plays with awe struck joy

The wonder life does bring

With Emmy, Sophie or a toy

Her heart with joy does sing

You blessed her Lord with Mom and Dad

A special pair indeed

Safely in their love she’s clad

While gently they do lead

As I bow my head today

To seek your presence, Lord

I ask you guide her heart to say

“God is my true reward”

CHORUS:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

Lord I ask you guide her steps

As only you can do

When journeys lead to valleys depth

Or mountains come in view

Hold her in your loving arms

To wipe away each tear

Protecting her from all life’s harms

And drive away each fear

Let your joy so fill her heart

With love for your dear son

Through faith and hope that you impart

Her victory has been won

CHORUS:

Lord, I ask for one more thing:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

[bctt tweet=”The greatest gift that I can ever give my grandchildren is to point them to Christ.”] [bctt tweet=”Oh, Lord be gracious once more to me and let my life reflect you.”] [bctt tweet=”Without your guiding hand and your love, Dear Heavenly Father, I can do nothing of worth.”]Continue with your amazing grace as you touch each of my grandchildren and lead them to a saving knowledge of you as they each reach the age of understanding.

Do you have a poem to share? Or a story about your children or grandchildren? I would love to hear from you. Click here to leave your comments.

Christian Blog

Amazing Grace as Seen by the Eyes of a Child

August 7, 2015 Effie Barba 2 Comments

Natalie is my beautiful granddaughter. While visiting with her this week, she told me that she loved to write. She is six years old and getting ready to go to first grade. So, when she told me how much she loves to write, I told her that if she would write a story about anything she wanted to I would use it on my website. I told her she could write about her most loved memory, her favorite pet, or anything she wanted to. She said ok, sat down and began to write. She kept turning pages and writing again. I thought she was having trouble deciding what to write. We left to go off on an adventure in the park before I could read what she had written When we returned my daughter handed me the pages that Natalie had written and as I read I was in Awe. Little had I realized that she was really writing her own 8 page book. A book that spoke volumes in only a few words. I typed the words at the side incase the pages are a little hard to read. I hope you enjoy this her first book.

evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord!

for he is our father

Praise the Lord

because he made us!

Praise the Lord! because he died on the cross for us

he Did it for us he did it for us

When he died on the cross

he let us free free!

he understands us from all the way up thare!

he loves it he loves you

The End

[bctt tweet=”There was nothing left to say, I sat in awe of God’s Grace as revealed through a child’s eyes. “]

[bctt tweet=”She wrote, evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord! for he is our father I say Amen”]

“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:15-17)

Do you have a story about how God has amazed you through the words of a child? I would love to hear from you. Click here to comment.

I hope you enjoy the song I chose for you today. Jesus Loves Me

Christian Blog

What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made?

August 5, 2015 Effie Barba

What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made?

He had spoken the world into being. He said let there be light. Instantaneously billions of light sources poured forth from His mouth. What we know as the sun, the moon and all the stars were formed with one word of God. Then, God formed man from the dust of the earth. Gently molding and shaping someone to lavish His love, joy, and glory upon. He knew that man would choose to worship himself (the creation) more than the creator; yet, He proceeded. He knew that the road to redeem man from that fallen state would mean Christ would have to bear the penalty for that sin. Still, His love was too great to not share it. He would bear the cost of love.

[bctt tweet=”After Adam sinned, God swore an oath to send a Savior He gave His word that light would come”].

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.” (John 1 NIV)

Continue reading What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made? →