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My Heart Thus Sing

December 27, 2014 Effie Barba

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.”

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Power Filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 3B-Every Promise of God is Eternally “Yes” in Christ

December 26, 2014 Effie Barba

As we looked at Paul’s final visit to the elders of the church of Ephesus, we saw many characteristic fruits that were displayed in Paul’s life as a result of Paul understanding and living forth his life in Christ. That phrase "In Christ" is first used referring to the ministry of Paul in Acts 24: "4 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ." Yet that same phrase occurs over and over within the letters of Paul. This was the key pivotal truth of the gospel that there is no salvation through any other means but in Christ and Christ alone. Romans 3: "24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

Yet, as Paul knew the possessions we have as a result of our being in Christ were much more than just a key to get us into heaven–it is our very being, our joy, our hope and the only means that we have to live out this glorious gift that we have received.

That is why Paul always taught the young believers about what great and mighty riches they possess through faith in Christ. If I began to just list them, I fear that you would not

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Power Filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 3A—Knowing the Truth is the Key to Power

December 24, 2014 Effie Barba

There was suddenly inside me an overwhelming restless desire that began to rise within my heart. I felt a longing to know Christ as my friend. The feeling rose within my heart until I could do nothing less than to ask Christ in, with a sudden feeling of love, joy and hope that filled my heart and spirit. In an instant I felt safe, loved, and as if my spirit could fly. Beyond that moment, I cannot tell you much about me at age 5; except for that one memory. It was a Sunday morning and from the radio, I could hear the voice of Dr. M.R. Dehaan as he was preaching. I had heard his voice before, nearly every Sunday; but this time it seemed I understood every word. I was in the kitchen entrance way and clearly remember that as these feelings and longings to know Jesus Christ as my friend and Savior, I was facing the corner where the light switch was next to large kitchen cabinet that my father had built. I could smell the aroma of the wood. I cannot tell you why I was there facing the light switch staring into the corner. I cannot tell you how a 5 year old could be filled with shame and guilt, knowing that she was unworthy of Christ; yet, I remember that feeling of unworthiness and the desire to have a close relationship with God. I was overcome by those feelings as in silence I stood there facing the corner. Dr. DeHaan, as he was well known for, was explaining that the blood of Christ was shed to cover our guilt and sin and when the invitation came to ask Christ to come into my heart, I accepted Christ as My Savior.

I cannot tell you how a child of 5 could see Christ as so beautiful; but, even after all these years I remember that sensation of His magnificent beauty and Glory so that I was compelled to desire Him in my life.

At that very young age, I wanted to know Him more. I memorized verses of the Bible as I heard them quoted. Despite that hunger and desire, it has taken most of my Christian journey to even begin to understand what it meant to be “in Christ”. From the moment I accepted Christ as my Savior, I desired with all my heart to please Him. I so wanted to be worthy of His love. I longed for His approval and to know I had gained His love. Growing up, I had been taught a lot about the Bible, but little about how to live this Christian life. I had heard a lot about God’s judgment and punishment; while learning little about His unconditional love and Grace toward me. Every time I looked at my own failures; I felt the

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Power-filled Positive Thinking A Miraculous Life

December 22, 2014 Effie Barba

Power-filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 2C-A Miraculous Life

We who were dead spiritually were made alive again—let that miraculous thought sink in. We who had no ability to see God, to taste of His goodness, to drink in His beauty or to stand in awe of His Glory; have, been made alive in Christ. Not only were we made alive to see Him, we were made spiritually alive to receive the fullness of His Joy and Love. He drew us to Himself through letting us see the glimpses of His Grace and Mercy by pouring forth bits of Grace upon this world as common grace to all.

Beyond that He has promised to all who believe that He will guide our lives to what is the very best for us, provide for us from His abundant riches, and freely lavish upon us His love, joy and grace. Romans 6: “like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.^”

Do you begin to grasp the magnitude of that? We need to train our minds to focus on just that. Do you want to live a joyous, miraculous life? Then practice doing this every day.