The move is imminent. Everything is falling into place, one thing at a time. God has said to move and God is working out His will. Starting a new job at my age and leaving all that is familiar should cause me apprehension, but instead I am very calm. Why? Because I know that God has ordered I go and it is He that goes before me. I rest in Him. This coming weekend I am having an estate/garage sale. Mom is worrying nonstop with such questions as "What if no one comes? What if nothing sells?" Instead, I am calm. So much to do, I must prepare; yet, I feel the strength of His presence. All the anxieties have left and even her voice of worry does not shake it. When my soul becomes still and 
I am resting in His Will, there remains no room to become complacent about writing or Bible Study or Prayer. Too often that is exactly what we do. When storms rage around us or mountains lay before us, we urgently seek Him and we run to such verses as those found in Psalm 46 which commands us to be still; but what does being still include?
God’s Plea For You
When we read through the old testament, we sometimes stand in wonder at how many times God pleads with His people. These people who are so quick to forget all that He has already done for them. These people who quickly become caught up in foolish desires, worship idols of their own making, and grumble because they want something different. God is the one who provides all that they need. He knows that the only love that can fill their heart completely, the only One who can fill that empty void is Himself–the mighty and great I AM. We read about them and say "What a foolish people!!" Then we look at ourselves and see the same. When everything is comfortable we forget to praise Him and we wander off seeking other pastures; yet,
He pleads with us to remember who is our provider.
When His Providential will leads us through
tempestuous waters
or through a blazing flame, we moan, tremble in fear, and beg God to answer our prayer. Our faith shakes when trials or questions lay before us because we do not really believe that God is In Control, meaning this thing (whatever it is), this thing has been ordained by the only true God, Creator of the Universe. He ordained it in love, that I might grow in my ability to rejoice in His presence. He ordained it in love, that I might learn to trust Him. He ordained it in love, that I might see the beauty of His Glory. He ordained it in love that He might draw me closer to Him because only there will I find fulfillment, peace, hope, and joy.
Read with me the plea He made to His people, all of His people
GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE—THE ULTIMATE INSPIRATION
GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE
Oh, Love Divine, what greater thought
That you should suffer, bleed and die
To pay my sin, my freedom bought
Though I screamed Crucify
With every action of my life
I cast aside your pleading cries
I caused you pain, I gave you strife
And chose to follow after lies
I could not see your beauty then
As now I see your face
Your light shone forth, e’er so dim
That I might see Your Grace
You drew me out, you pulled me in
That I might then seek you
You covered then my ugly sin
Your righteousness to view
Such love Divine, pursuing me
Your Joy and Hope to share
How could I run, How could I flee
Naught else could e’er compare
Unto the hope I find in You
As now I turn to seek your Face
Your Glory shines and lights my view
You guide me on at gentle pace
Transforming thus my wretched heart
Unto the one You knew I’d be
Your joyous love ne’er to depart
For all eternity.
This poem I wrote for the introduction into my book
“Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love” for which my son Ronald Barba drew the portrait of the Lion with the Lamb. I hope both inspire you and remind you of the love, joy, and peace that we hold IN CHRIST, because of the mighty power of the Great I AM. This we have if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, our only hope, our redeemer who paid the penalty for our sin and is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
Question: Do you know Him as Your Savior?
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork by Ronald Barba (used by permission) © 2012 Ronald Barba
portraits can be purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/ultimate-inspiration-gods-plan-of-love-ronald-barba.html
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 with the exception of my own book. 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.”
Feelings Aside, I Will Trust In God’s Steadfast Love
Try as we might, we are an emotional creature whose feelings seem to change with the wind. One minute we are trusting, the next we run in fear. One minute we stand strong upon God’s grace and the next minute we are caught up in our own guilt. Such a silly people we are; yet, God is so gracious and loving toward us.
Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com
I can almost hear Him sigh at times, with that soft gentle smile upon His face as He whispers, "Dear Child, why are you worried? Don’t you remember who I am and that I have it all figured out for your best blessing and to lead you to your greatest joy? Before you were ever born I loved you and I love you still with an everlasting love."
We often look at the old testament men and women of God with wonder as we watch their faith rise and fall. We even desire to believe that we are different than they. Let us take a peek at the 25th Psalm and see if we do not just see a bit of ourselves in David.
Continue reading “Feelings Aside, I Will Trust In God’s Steadfast Love”
Beautiful Transforming Grace–Sorrows, Trials leading to Joy, Hope, Peace,
As pilgrims journeying through this land we come upon many trials, temptations, sorrows and pain. Too often the modern day church would try to cover up the truth of our journey and say such things as "come to Christ and you will never again experience sorrow, life will be easy". Others will say name whatever you want and it will be yours. Then we realize that neither is completely true; despite a ring of truth hidden deep. I have often told you about the tremendous joy in Christ that overcomes the sorrows and that we must fight at times to hold onto
that joy. This is true…there is joy and peace that is found in Christ once we have come to the realization that He is our greatest treasure; yet, foolish pilgrims that we are there are those moments when we become complacent in the rolling hill or pasture that we are currently passing through. We desire to stay there and let our desires wander toward counterfeit joys once more; losing sight of our only true joy—a relationship with our Creator who is perfect beauty and perfect joy. His work in transforming us into a vessel that can truly experience His love, His Glory, and His joy one day must be always about removing the blemishes and the desires for counterfeit joys. He loved me as I was with all my faults; but He loves me too much to leave me where I was and He is ever about the work of transforming me into the image that He knows I can and will be. Let us look at truths that Peter wrote about which will help you and I to understand this journey.
Continue reading “Beautiful Transforming Grace–Sorrows, Trials leading to Joy, Hope, Peace,”