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.”]

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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.

Christian Blog

Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

July 25, 2015 Effie Barba

Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

I left off with a question yesterday. What if our suffering was a means God uses to bring another person’s salvation; would we see suffering differently?

In Psalms 22, as David prayed in great anguish to God, David presented a picture of Christ. Was David aware that thousands of years later, we would see Christ? Could someone reading those words, followed by Psalms 23 and 24 open their heart to Christ and be saved? If indeed our moments of greatest anguish could be the catalyst that caused one person to alter their eternal destiny, would we be willing to embrace the suffering?

In Memory of Pedro Barba Arroyo (1/15/42 to 7/23/1994) A life transformed through suffering and pain—Salvation’s story of mercy and grace. One soul saved to an eternity of joy, love and glory in God’s presence.

Portrait of Pedro Barba Arroyo as done by Ronald Barba

[bctt tweet=”Is the Salvation of One Soul valuable enough to me to embrace suffering in my own life? “] It certainly was for Christ. I have learned it is for me. [bctt tweet=” The suffering of this world, if it endures a lifetime is but a split second compared to eternity. “]

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Christian Blog

3 Psalms Proclaiming Hope, Joy and Grace to the World

July 24, 2015 Effie Barba

3 Psalms Proclaiming Hope, Joy and Grace to the World

David’s life with all the ups and downs, the great victories and the moments of failure is a portrait of our Christians lives. Each step of the way, David was drawn toward an ever increasing passionate love for God. David had moments of great joy and seasons of deep sorrow. His Songs to God reflect these very emotions. Yet if we look a little closer we also see the gospel of grace being portrayed. How amazing it is that David’s moments of conflict were used to portray Christ’s crucifixion is Psalm 22. Then raised from the dead the shepherd cares for the sheep in Psalm 23. And finally the chief Shepherd appears as King of glory to own and reward the sheep in Psalm 24. A trilogy of Psalms portraying the Gospel. Look a little closer.

THE CRUCIFIXION PORTRAYED

Psalm 22:(NIV) “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?” Are these not the same cries that we hear from the cross of Christ? Is this not the good shepherd who gave his life for the people? Then we see the foreshadowing of Christ again as they hurl insults, shaking their heads. ⁸“He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.” Are these not the same cries of the people against Christ in Matthew 27:43.
picture used with permission of Ronald Barba for information about his artwork go to http://barba-art.com

Then we see the picture of the cross itself. ” I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within ¹⁵My mouth^[d]is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.” This is a picture of crucifixion. The joints being pulled out of place, the blood and water poured forth, the intense perspiration, the parched lips, the intense strain upon the heart and the death. Then we even see the “¹⁸They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” David with great detail gave us the picture of Christ to come. Was he aware of that? Or did God use David’s moments of conflict to form the words that would point to Christ? A question we must ponder as we look at our own moments of conflict. Are they a means to portray Christ to the world?

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Christian Blog

When Agonizing Prayers of the Heart Persist In Silence?

July 23, 2015 Effie Barba

When Agonizing Prayers of the Heart Persist In Silence?

We have all been there at some point in our prayer life. The most agonizing prayers of our heart seem to be screams into the darkness with only silence as our response. We take a deep breath and say, “Well, it must not have been God’s will. I will trust Him.” Sadly, we lay down the prayer; afraid to pick it up again. Sorrow fills our heart and instead of trust doubt fills our minds. So what do we do then?