Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in Joshua Part 20—Steps to Remain Victorious

As we have read in Joshua, they entered the Promised Land with God’s guidance each step of the way. The people had been very diligent to do all of what God commanded. The men from the Gadites, Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manessah had remained faithful to their promise to stay and fight alongside the remaining tribes until all had been accomplished. Since their inheritance had been on the east of Jordan, this meant they had left behind all their possessions, their children, and their wives to fulfill their obligations as God had commanded. We are not told how many years this was; but, we know that it was years. Now it was time to return to their homes. They had been faithful to God and to His commands. Joshua calls them to tell them that it was now time for them to return to their home land east of the Jordan. When he does he then tells them:

Joshua 22(KJV) ^{“ 5} But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Why would he tell them this? Hadn’t they shown their devotion all of these years?When are you and I most vulnerable to drifting? It is during the moments of rest and prosperous times that we tend to forget. When we no longer are confronting the heat of the battle, we tend to get complacent.

photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

Whatever the season you are in can you say? Psalm 42: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. ² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God”

What are the steps Joshua instructs us to take so as to ascertain our continuing victory during the times of rest?

Continue reading Steps to Remain Victorious →

Mercy Unveiled in Life’s Ebb and Flow

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Torn between the places of my life

Torn between the joy, pain, love and strife

I searched for You in the darkest night

Rejoiced with You in the brightest light

Discovered in You, my Sovereign Lord

Love, hope, joy were my unjust reward

 

If I were to gaze back o’er my life

My failures cut deep like a sharp knife

Filling my heart with guilt-Oh wretched pain

My faith so small would wax and wane

All the times I shunned your acts of love

Putting selfish thoughts of mine above

 

Yet, you have always stood tried and true

Giving me your grace and mercy too

How did you love me with love so great

When I have grumbled such words of hate

Never seeing You were all I need

My callous words caused your heart to bleed

 

I do not wish to stay this course

That causes you so much remorse

Clinging to you through the ebb and flow

Tides of emotions from high to low

  I need you to hold me in your arms

There where I am safe from all life’s harms

 

Let your Glory shine through me I pray

That my life shine forth Your love  today

  Lift me high above these earthly fears

That all might see Your Joy through tears

I desire for nothing more than this

All should know You are their Joy and Bliss

© 2014 Effie Darlene 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.”

Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in Joshua (Part 19)—The Infallibility of God’s Promises

This past weekend with its trip to Orlando, I must say was filled with emotion. As I told you in the last post, it is as though my heart is torn between the cities. How I wish that I could scoop up all my children and move them near to me. How I wish I had the finances and where withal to just make that happen without any worries or concerns. Could I have been more frugal in my past?

You parents out there, I am certain understand those feelings. You would gladly suffer anything if only you could protect your children from all pain, heartaches and sorrows. Yet, remember this; in our imperfect love we have never loved one of our children nearly as much as God’s love for His only son. He knew our hearts could perhaps understand that illustration to demonstrate the love within the trinity. Then, imagine this; God loved you and me so much that He would endure the pain of watching His Beloved son suffer and die that we might be saved.

Yes, He knew that the suffering would one day increase the joy and Glory of Christ as He gathered the remnant of believers around the throne. It is that truth which should encourage us when we don’t understand the plans before us.

Continue reading The Infallibility of God’s Promises →

I am back in Orlando for a conference this weekend which has been such a blessing to see dear friends and even more wonderful was to spend time with my grandchildren.  When I left for Missouri, I did not expect such a delay in their joining me.  God, I know is Sovereign and knows what is best; despite my heart’s desires longing for different things.  I have not meant to neglect any of you my readers this weekend; but, technical issues as well has time has been a challenge.  I must go back to Columbia today.  My heart is there and a part of my heart remains in Florida.  Another part is off in California with my daughter.  God has His plan and I will trust Him both with my life and that of my children and grandchildren.  It is His grace that has so blessed me with this opportunity to go to Florida.  It was a gift so unexpected and so gracious, as I could not have done this myself financially.   Apart from Christ Himself, my greatest gift of Grace that God bestowed on me were my Children and now, my grandchildren.  I pray that God will lead each and little heart to know Him & find their joy in Him.

  So, today let me share with you this song that was published in 1883 by Daniel Whittle.

1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

o Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

2. I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

4. I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

5. I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Published by Daniel W. Whittle 1883 (copyright listed as public domain)

Or if you wish to hear it sung:  I KNOW NOT WHY

©2014 Effie Darlene Barba

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.

 

Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua, Part 18-Our Place of Refuge

After all the land was divided amongst the tribes of Israel, God then commands Joshua to establish the six cities of refuge which He had previously commanded in the law given to Moses.  These were cities that people who committed homicide could flee for refuge from “the avenger of blood.”  The penalty for taking another’s life is death; but, in this case if the death of the other was due to involuntary manslaughter instead of premeditated murder, there was a place to go for refuge. 

Joshua 20 (GNV) “ ³ That the slayer that killeth any person ^[a]by ignorance, and unwittingly, may flee thither, and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.”

Then, you might ask, “What does that have to do with me?”  Ah, that is the question, we must ask; for the scripture is all given for our edification.

Artwork is used by written permission of Ronald Barba

Am I not guilty of Christ’s blood which was shed in my place?  Did not my sin hang him on that cross?  Indeed, I might try to plead ignorance or attempt to say that I wasn’t there.  Yet, as soon as I hear the truth, I choose either to accept Christ’s atonement for my sin or to reject Him. By choosing Him, I become accepted in Him to enter the “city of refuge”. Denying Him would make me as one who caused Christ’s death with a heart of hatred toward Him.

Romans 8: (KJV) “⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” In Christ (our place of refuge) we are no longer in a place of being pursued by the “avenger of blood” and no longer need fear the penalty of death. Additionally, we need to look at the significance of the names of these six cities to recognize the magnitude of what we find in Christ, our refuge.

Continue reading Our Place of Refuge →