Effie Darlene Barba

There is a study upon which I feel urged to embark; although I somewhat tremble at the prospects, for many worthier Bible Scholars have feigned to approach the subject.  Yet, the very depths of it still press upon my heart.  It is in those moments that I find it necessary to withdraw into prayer and study of the scripture.  Only God is able to reveal the truths needed to help me understand and only He can enlighten you, my readers as well.  I cannot have any understanding of Him unless it is He who reveals it.  He, it was that chose me before the foundations of the world.  I marvel at the very thought of it.  There is nothing in me or that I am which would have commended me to Him; yet, He loved me and He chose me. 

“The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love.” quoted from

Henry Scougal in The Life of God in the Soul of Man 

Look at Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”  There it is.  “Predestined unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”  Frequently we may look at someone who loves us and say, “Why do you love me?”  If I were to look at God and ask that very question, I am certain His answer would be

Continue reading “The Good Pleasure of God’s Will (Part 1)”

So, Christmas came and passed for this year.  I hope that all of you, as I realize all of the blessings that Christ brought.  We must not forget that Christmas is not about the presents and the gifts, it is about the One Gift God gave to the world.  The Light of the World came that we might have Salvation.  Christ, fulfilled the Law and then took upon Himself the Sins of the World.  He was the Messiah for whom the prophet Isaiah had prophesied and for whom the entire Old Testament pointed toward–the Savior of the World.  He did not come to destroy the Law; but fulfill it as only Perfect Righteousness could.  It was during the time that Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill the laws given by Moses to present Him (Christ) to the Lord and sacrifice a pair of turtle doves, that Simeon comes in. 

Drawing used by permission ©2010 Ronald Barba

Note, Simeon was lead by the Holy Spirit.  He listened and humbly followed the commands of the Spirit.  He spoke praise to God for having fulfilled a promise God had made to him that before He die, He would be allowed to see Christ.  We do not know how long Simeon had waited, nor how tired or aged he became while awaiting that promise; but we do know Simeon listened to the Holy Spirit and waited until the day the Spirit lead Him.  Read Luke’s account.

Continue reading “Simeon—Humbly led by Holy Spirit”

As we hustle about in preparation for Christmas, we need to stop for a moment and truly think about what we are celebrating.  We must remember that we are not only celebrating His birth in a manger; but rather we are celebrating His willingness to leave His throne to come to this earth in the vulnerable state as a baby, to suffer the pangs of hunger, to be humbled, and later humiliated – rejected by the very ones He came to save. 

vector image used courtesy of ©istock

Beyond that He would then take upon His shoulders all of the sins, guilt, and shame of mankind that all who accept His Gift of Salvation might then share in His inheritance one day.   Read these scriptures in Isaiah prophesying of Christ’s birth. He refers also

Continue reading “Unto Us a Child is Born”

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 8-11

photo used courtesy of ©istock/CentralITAlliance

I began praying last night for a poem that might touch the hearts of anyone who was broken hearted during this Christmas season.  I know that underneath the glitter, the packages, the lights and sounds; there are so many of you lonely and hurting.  I awoke with this playing in my head and I hope God uses it to touch your heart today.  

It’s Christmas, Christmas

 

Bells are ringing brightly sound

Christmas carols do abound

Twinkling light our sight surround

It’s Christmas, Christmas

People hustling all around

Presents heap a little mound

Underneath a tree they found

It’s Christmas, Christmas

CHORUS:

But now, did you look at the hearts of this crowd

Where their joy is no more than a shroud

Attempting to cover the pain and sorrow

Tell them there’s a Savior

Came to show them favor

A love that will not waiver

True Joy can be theirs

He’ll heal the broken hearted

Finish what He started

Hope He hath imparted

Breaking all sin’s lairs

Christ was born. Oh, what a Glorious sound

In His arms, true joy can now abound

Love and hope our hearts surround

It’s Christmas, Christmas

Tell them there’s a Savior

Came to show them favor

A love that will not waiver

True Joy can be theirs

He’ll heal the broken hearted

Finish what He started

Hope He hath imparted

Breaking all sin’s lairs

 

©2013 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.

As we have been talking about fearless faith and the many times in the Bible that God reminds us not to fear because He is with us.   Some of you Bible Scholars may indeed question the fact that just as often God’s word includes “to them that fear God.”  How is it that we can justify “fearing God” and not having fear?  In fact, God writes “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me.  Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good” Jeremiah 32:40-41.  At the same time that He is covenanting to always be present and to do good, He says He will put fear in their hearts.  How is that possible? What could He possibly mean?  Am I to tremble throughout my Christian walk, worried that I might make God angry and He send lightning bolts down to strike me?  Is my faith to be fearless and yet full of fear both at the same time?  Let me try to help any of you struggling with this.

photo courtesy of  © istock/vernonwiley

REVERANT AWE THAT CONQUERS ALL FEAR

Many years of my Christian journey I did struggle with that very thought, bound within the chains which created such fear.  I during those years spent much of my Christian walk defeated by my own attempts at being a “better Christian” and never able to rest in the truth of God’s love for me.  Even if we look at the average dictionary there is a distinct difference made in the definitions of fear when referring to God.  In the dictionary, it says that fear of God is awe and reverence, not panic and anxiety.  Yet, does that fully explain the difference that God makes?

God has written,

Continue reading “Two Fears Leading to Fearless Faith”