Effie Darlene Barba

Certainly, we look around us at the brokenness that fills the world with so much sorrow, pain, and turmoil from every side.  Yet, what we may not realize it has been that truth since the days of Christ.  Paul often reminded the early Christians, that this is not our final destiny.  Furthermore, there will be a day when Christ returns to take us home.  This was part of the gospel message of hope he proclaimed to the world. So, all the early Christians with great anticipation were joyfully awaiting the Great Reunion called the rapture?  The were always thinking today might be the day. 

        Indeed the Thessalonian church wanted to know whether those who died would miss out on the miraculous reunion as they were so galvanized to work each day spreading the gospel while awaiting his return.  Look at what was reported of them to Paul and he wrote this.

1 Thessalonians 1(AMP) The Great Reunion

⁸ For the word of the Lord has resounded from you and has echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it. ⁹ For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].

So, they expectantly, joyfully awaited the great reunion.  Yet, they wondered about their family, friends and others who had already died.  Would they be a part of the great reunion when Christ returns?  After all, the strength to continue working for Him, spreading the gospel, standing firm for Jesus Christ, in a hostile word that wants Him gone comes from the strength of knowing Him.  And from knowing He will return.  We know that He has won the victory.  Whatever we face in this world, we know it is a blink of the eye compared to eternity.  That fortifies us.  If only we can keep focus on this truth, we would be joyfully awaiting the great reunion, the rapture.

But until that day we are to keep working for Jesus.   Imagine the reunion party?  For me, seeing Jesus is my greatest desire of all.  Just to rest in His arms, His presence.  I can imagine He can give us each a hug individually all at the same time. 

Joyfully Awaiting the Great Reunion Called the Rapture

 When they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.  Acts 1:6-11 ESV

We are not to just stand still staring into heaven; but we are to remember He is returning.  It is that which Paul wishes to address as he writes to the church in Thessalonica.  Remember they most likely had never seen Jesus, even when He walked the earth—he was in Nazareth, Samaria, and Judea.  For us, it is similar only even farther away from the time He walked on the earth.   We too need to be reminded so as not to be dismayed.

1 Thessalonians 4:

¹³ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 

We are not hopeless as others in the world.

¹⁴ For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

At the time of the rapture, Jesus will bring all our loved ones with Him.  They are with Him, although their bodies are still here.  So that the reunion is complete, they will come with Him.

¹⁵ For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,^[d] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  

They will then be joined with their bodies, though their soul/spirit have been in heaven with Jesus.

Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8

How exciting is that! The Great Reunion

¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

How would your life today be if you are joyfully awaiting the reunion called the rapture? Would you be running from place to place to tell the truth and to lead others to Christ? Let us be the light reaching into the darkness. We must be the truth dispelling all the lies. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Who will you tell today the Good news of the Gospel.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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How do I Learn to Do More Because of Love for Jesus Christ?

Establish Your Heart Blameless at the Coming of Our Lord Jesus!  How?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. 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.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

I remember in the sixth grade, I wanted so badly to be liked.  That was the one year, I sat aside by formerly studious behaviors.  Sometimes, because we could some of us would go to the bathroom where we would giggle, laugh, and even play games of jacks.  It was so easy to goof off for a little while.  Everyone seemed to like me, at least for a little while.  I had worked hard to lose some weight.  My speech impediment pretty much gone.  Then, it happened.  For the first time, I did not go to the scholastic meet in math.  Based off one test, I got left behind.  No blue ribbon that year.  I was devastated. Humiliated and angry with myself, I knew I could do more.  Worse, how often in life, do I realize suddenly I could do more because of love for Jesus Christ, but I didn’t.

In Jesus Christ, empowered by His Holy Spirit, I could do more.  I could be better, because of love for Jesus Christ. Then why do I get so distracted.  What is it within me that draws me away from the mighty power of the Holy Spirit that indwells me?  Pettiness, pride, and selfishness pull at me. Bidding me to listen to my feelings.  Sins of my past rise steadily, reminding me of how much of a failure I am.  Even though I know I have been forgiven, Satan loves to throw his darts deep into my heart and mind.  Telling me I will never be enough.  Yet, here it is Paul telling this young church in Thessalonica, his desire is that they do more.  You have done wonderful things.  But you can do more, and even better.   

Is that not true of each of us?

I Thessalonians 4: (ESV)

 Finally, then, brothers,^[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification:^[b] that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body^[c] in holiness and honor, ⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

⁷ For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, ¹¹ and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, ¹² so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Urge and Exhort You to do More- Why?

Because of love for Jesus.  My granddaughter asked me this week if it was my mother who taught me about Jesus, and I said Yes.  Mom first told me about Jesus.  I listened to sermons and then one day, I fell in love with Jesus.  She turned her head and said, “I am not certain that I have fallen in love with Jesus yet.”  I thought a lot about that.  Perhaps I have not ever loved Him to the fullness or the degree that I should either.  How quickly I get drawn aside to other things or my own desires.  How quickly I can be influenced to making the wrong decisions or even decisions for the wrong reasons.

Throughout scripture we are urged to be perfected in Christ. 

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to ^[a]perfection,   Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

But how do we learn to Do More because of Love for Jesus Christ?

1.  Remember He is always the one who will do the work of perfecting you (Heb 12:1-2)
2. Trust in the Holy Spirit who indwells you (John 14:16, Romans 8:11)
3. Repent Quickly when you first hear the voice calling you to confess (1John 1:9)
4.  Study His word (2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:12)
5. Pray (I Thessalonians 5:16-17)
6. Remember all that He has done for you (Psalm16:8)
7. Surround yourself with shows, music and people who exhort you to keep your eyes on Jesus. (Psalm 1:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:33)
8. Avoid willful sin.  It can place you in a position where you watch play out with great suffering the results of your sin, like David did.  Or it can cost you your witness.  One day when you stand before the Lord with nothing in your hands to give Him: what a sad day.  As you realize all you have been given, and you squandered it all on selfish desires.  I am speaking here to Christians and hope you bring you more precisely on that subject.  (Hebrews 10:26-27)
9. Remember His Grace will complete the work in you. (Hebrews 10: 16-24)

Concluding Thought

How amazing is the Grace of God to allow me, after all I have done, to have another chance to learn to be more like Him! That He will allow me to do more by surrendering all that I am into His hands to do with as He will.  Let me focus on Him and Him only.  Only then will I be step by step transformed into His image.    

Our only hope to do more for God’s glory results from a transformed new heart. We must lay aside our selfish desire because we see the absolute beauty of Jesus Christ. His glory transforms our heart as we fall in love with Him who first loved us.

How can I do more for God’s Glory? I must have a transformed heart–transformed by the love of Jesus Christ for us, compelling me to love Him

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

Establish Your Heart Blameless at the Coming of Our Lord Jesus!  How?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. 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.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

In this world, we may face many trials, sorrows. There are times when it would seem the world around us is spinning out of control. Yet tear and every joy along this journey are but skipping stones to glory.

Skipping Stones to Your Glory

Storms surround my life today
Sorrows urging me to pray
With gentle voice, I hear You say
Trust in me I’ll guide your way

A pilgrim in this foreign land
Where is the hope in which I stand?
You paid the price- that just demand
And hold me firm within Your hand

 
Chorus:
So, Precious Lord let my eyes see 
That you have won my victory 
Whatever sorrows facing me 
Are skipping stones to Your Glory 


Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King 
And then, oh then my heart will sing 
Of Your wondrous Joy in everything 
No matter what this life may bring



The sorrows of life, their ebb and tide
That force me on my knees abide
And rips away my selfish pride
That in thy Grace my tears subside


The trials that would tear apart
This fragile, broken, lonely heart
Except thy love can ne’er depart
Each day, Your Grace-my fresh new start





Chorus:
So, Precious Lord let my eyes see 
That you have won my victory 
Whatever sorrows facing me 
Are skipping stones to Your Glory 
 
Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King 
And then, oh then my heart will sing 
Of Your Wondrous Joy in everything 
No matter what this life may bring

Romans 8:19-25

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope. What a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Skipping Stones to Glory

We know that God in His Mighty love is transforming us into the image of His son. Glory by glory, we are changed until we one day when we will spend eternity in His presence. Only then will we understand fully His perfect will for each of us that are in Christ Jesus. We will realize then how each sorrow or trial we faced on this earth were merely skipping stones to Glory–His Glory revealed in us. Therefore, my question to you is Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? That is the most important question you will ever be asked to answer.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous Poems

Lord, Give Me Courage To Run, Courage to Stand

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. 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.

Credits

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com