Through this study in Proverbs, there has been so many times that I have felt the sting of guilt and regret.  Perhaps that is what always in the past caused me to leave Proverbs before ever finishing it.  This time I committed to you that we would journey all of the way through—not just bits and pieces of my choosing; but all of it.  When I look back over my past and even gaze into my present; I cannot help but see my failures to speak as I should, to learn as I should, and to be all that I should to represent Christ.  What kind of fool am I to think that God could use me with all my frailties?  Perhaps, exactly the kind of fool you need to help you along this Pilgrimage—this journey you have been asked to walk.

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The question arises, Am I Defined By the Words which at times run through my head or AM I Defined by the Truth of God’s Grace and Words about who I AM IN Christ?

In a problem with pain, C.S.Lewis wrote: “We actually are, at present, creatures whose character must be, in some respects, a horror to God, as it is, when we really see it, a horror to ourselves.  This I believe to be a fact: and I notice that the holier a man is, the more fully he is aware of that fact.”

As I turned the page to Proverbs 15 and carefully read it over and over again; a light of hope emerged from the darkness of my own spirit.  The entire chapter is

Continue reading FOUNTAINS OF WISDOM—A STUDY IN PROVERBS—PART 27 LIFE’S RICHEST WORDS →

 

As we continue on in this study in Proverbs, I urge you to remember that each of these proverbs can stand alone as a word for the day to each of us.  Still, there seems to be an order that lends to grouping.  I urge you to prayerfully read through Proverbs on your own.  Let God lead and guide you to the understanding, the conviction, and the wisdom that you need each day.  Proverbs 14:28-35 are pointing out truths that can guide a nation to be strong; while each proverb also has direct instruction to the individual.  I have carefully studied each verse and have tried to choose translations that help to illuminate them, even though in this case I had to use more than one translation so as to best point out the meanings of these verses.

Proverbs 14: (NIV): ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.

Artwork is used by written permission of Ronald Barba

God cares about nations as well as caring about individuals.  God rules over nations as well individual hearts.  Romans 13:1 (AMP) “Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.”  Matthew 28: (AMP) ¹⁸ Jesus approached and, ^[a]breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom A Study in Proverbs part 26 A Nation that Stands →

On this Mother’s Day I want to say Thank You to  God for my wonderful and incredible children.  It has been God’s grace that allowed me to be their Mother.  No one could have been so blessed as I.  What incredible grace of God to allow me to watch and see the adults they have become, the parents that they are.   I never deserved so much Joy; but, God reached forth with love and mercy to me.  Christ willingly gave His life that I might find life in Him and then He gave me so much more.  How could I ever praise Him enough? 

Some Would Say I’m Lucky

by Effie Darlene Barba

Some would say I’m lucky

Some would say achieved

Yet, Lord I know the truth to be

It was an act of your pure grace

That Showered down on me

 

A little girl with doll in hand

You chose and called her name

To follow you, the life you planned

With glee, she quickly came

 

She dreamed of love, the perfect life

With children running round

White picket fence and never strife

Where joy it must abound

 

In eagerness she ran ahead

And could not see the peril

She wanted just to please, instead

She donned her guilt apparel

 

Amidst the dark and treacherous path

She feared God’s love had gone

Each trial seen, she thought was wrath

For all that she had done.

 

A ray of glorious hope shone down

As in her arms God laid each child

And on each child He placed His crown

God’s gift of love so gentle, mild

 

And then I looked back o’er the years

And realize it was God’s Grace

That lead me through so many tears

That I might see His face

 

I see my children fully grown

Their babies in their arms

I marvel at the grace you’ve shone

Their life displays your charms

 

My treasure Lord, in you I’ve found

My storms of heart you calm

Your gifts of grace o’erflowing round

Your precious saints that call me “MOM”

 

Some would say I’m lucky

Some would say achieved

Yet, Lord I know the truth to be

It was an act of your pure grace

That Showered down on me

© 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.”

“Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee.”-Saint Augustine

Yet, how do we rest in God.  We are born with such a desire to seek pleasure.  We long for beauty and we long for happiness.  Yet, in the midst of that longing there seems to always be a part of us that remains dissatisfied.  When in high school, we believe happiness is around the corner when we are on our own.  If single, we think it can be found in marriage.  We search for it in friends, careers, houses, cars, clubs, success, and things; only, to find ourselves once more dissatisfied, unhappy, and despairing of life itself.  All those things lead us ever deeper into a pit and away from the only thing that can truly satisfy our soul. 

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2014 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.

Proverbs 14: (AMP) “¹² There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.”

  None of those desires are bad in themselves.  They seem to be good things to strive for.  Yet, when we find they don’t satisfy the longing of our hearts we begin to look around and follow after “fun times”.  Maybe we should just join the party crowd and forget about being so responsible.  Yet, there again we find ourselves in a place of brokenness.  Then we find ourselves saying, “Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.” (Proverbs 14: ¹³ (MSG)

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs- Part 25 The Path to True Joy →

There are moments in this study I must say that I want to jump ahead or get done quicker; but, I recognize impatience is certainly not a virtue to pursue here. There is way too much rich knowledge packed tightly into the book of Proverbs and so onward I must go, step by step as I take us on this journey through Proverbs. At this point we have reached chapter 14. As I studied and prayerfully pondered upon this chapter it appears to me to be divided into three sections. Although once more each verse can stand alone; I see somewhat of a clustering of thought as well. Verses 1-11 refer to how a wise woman can build up her family, verses 12-27 contrasts counterfeit joy with real joy, and versus 28-35 address the need for God’s wisdom in a nation’s government. So, for today let us look at verses 1-11.

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Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Seems obvious doesn’t it?  What woman would want to destroy her home and her family?  No one would do that, would they?  Yet, too often we destroy the family unit with arguments, selfish desires, pity parties, and an unforgiving spirit.

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs (Part 24)- A Wise Woman Builds Her House Strong →