Effie Darlene Barba

What do we do when we awaken to the fact that we have failed God?  Trust me those times will come.  If they haven’t for you, perhaps you have never been awakened to the reality of the depth of darkness that is within your own heart or you have not yet  realized the magnitude of righteousness which is God. This is declared in Isaiah 41:25-26, Romans 3:10, and Isaiah 64:5-7.  We have nothing that we can bring before Christ of our own works nor sacrifice that is sufficient to cover our guilt before God.  So when we fail do we just throw up our hands and say it doesn’t matter, I will just continue in sin because I am unable to do this thing called Christian living?  Never is that the answer either; because sin fractures the joy of our relationship with Christ.   David and Peter were all too aware of that fact.  Yet, why do we keep falling into these pits, many times the same one over and over? (Proverbs 24: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again). Yes, God recognizes our frailty as is demonstrated by that verse and also by Psalm 103: 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

So yes, the mercy of God covers our sins and yes, He understands we will fail; but that does not mean I just accept the fact that I am a "sinner" saved by grace and continue on in my sin.  That also is a misinterpretation of doctrine.  True, I cannot of my own volition perform or live out this Christian life; but I can through Christ and IN Christ be daily transformed more and more into His likeness. I would suggest you go back to the previous series entitled Living in Christ and the series Glory to Glory for greater insight.  In this series, I want to try to bring out some practical steps to help you in this Pilgrimage Journey as Christians.  These principles took me a lifetime thus far to learn with many a tearful heart break along the way.  Many times our failures are a result of misinterpreting doctrine or having been taught wrong doctrine from the beginning. So first, let’s look at some of the truths we must embrace or find ourselves in great agony of spirit.

1. What is it to be a Christian?  The word means Christ like.  But I just said, there is nothing in my human heart that can ever be Christ like.  This covetous, self exalting heart is always focused on "me".  The world would even tell us that we must focus upon ourselves and who we are.  The miraculous thing is that Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and my unrighteousness so that IN Christ I become a new creature.  That is I die to self that He might reign ruler over my regenerate heart.  He has made the great exchange by taking on my filthy rags of sin and then clothing me with His righteousness.  Yet so often I don’t believe this and try to do things on my own, my way.  My self-exalting heart wants to prove that I am worthy of this gift; yet, it was a gift that I cannot earn.  What makes me think that God needs anything from me? Acts 17: "24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;".  I am special only because He chose me.  All my discipleship (repentance, obedience, service action, praying is acceptable only because I am "in Christ."  Thus, I have no source of pride nor despairing within my self. My only hope is knowing who I am IN Christ and denouncing who I am without Him.  I have no righteousness of my own; but only a righteousness than He gives to me.  I must always keep focus of this and focus upon Him so that He might live out that life through me.

2.  Why do I seek Christ?  Do I truly see God as worthy of my praise, even if He gave me nothing in return?  Many get tangled up in this and many who think they are Christians have never come to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Some go forward in a church to "turn over a new leaf"; but do not recognize that they cannot earn God’s grace.  Some go forward to "avoid hell"; but have no repentant heart. Some go forward to merely gain the prestige of being the part of a church thinking it makes them a better person or more prestigious in the community.  Some come in hopes of all the gifts God may give them like a Santa Claus God. These often are seasonal and only go through the motion when they are in need of something and forget God when things are going well.  Another group, come forward to "accept Christ"; but believe He is not enough and that their salvation is dependent upon their works. They go through the motion of working their way into heaven, either being filled with pride of their own accomplishments rather than giving the Glory to Christ or fall to the wayside when they fail thinking it all hopeless. Salvation comes only when we have come to the end of who we are, recognizing that we have nothing to bring to the foot of the cross, no bargaining chip to gain God’s favor, and in true repentance lay our sins at the foot of the cross.  We must recognize our own unworthiness.  We must though dimly see God as Glorious, beautiful and worthy of praise.  Only then, do we seek after Him. Only then do we truly desire to know Him as our greatest treasure and lay aside all other desires to follow Him. 

The first step toward knowing what to do when you have failed is recognizing if you truly know the truth of the gospel of Christ. Second you must come before God with a broken and contrite heart which we will look at more fully tomorrow.  Thirdly, you must walk through the steps of true repentance. 

Glory to Glory
Glory to Glory, my life now defined
Boughten, redeemed by Your love divine
Transforming my life by Your joy sublime
Laying my life down, I give you my time
To seek your full Glory, all else I resign.

Undeserving I be, now my sins You erase
Let me lay down my life for my cross to embrace
What else could I seek but Your glorious face
Right there beside me each step of this race
It is Your joy, Your peace, Your mercy, Your grace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5L44RmHY9s

In this world we do face valleys dark at times or we see a loved one hurting and just hope that we might ease their burden.  Yet, if it is those valleys that bring us closer to God; then wouldn’t every tear be worth the joy we find in knowing Him? 

C.S.Lewis is quoted as saying,

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

John 16: 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

There was a time in which within a few years, I had been widowed; followed by cancer, ulcerative colitis, financial ruin, surgeries, pain, loneliness, with what seemed no relief from the onslaught of problems.  It was those times that the book "Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley" was born; although, later I expanded it before it was released.  The following poem I wrote as the theme poem for that book.  I hope it brings you comfort through whatever trial you may be facing today.  Remember this, God loves you and He has a perfect plan to bring you into a place of perfect joy and only He knows how all the moments of sorrow work together to prepare your heart to receive His gift of love, joy, hope and peace in the center of this chaotic world in which we live. I can tell you that I would walk every mile of sorrow and shed every tear again, for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus as my greatest treasure, my companion, my hope, and my love.  As Paul had learned and wrote in Philippians 3: "8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

GIVE ME THIS VALLEY

I cried, Lord, please help me climb

This mountain so sublime

Full of health and wealth and fame

Surely there I’d praise your name

But I heard a whispering voice

Said, for you that’s not my choice

I want you in this valley deep

Where your joy my heart will keep

Lord, you can take that mountain high

And let me stay here by your side

In this valley filled with pain

Where I know you know my name

Give me a life where I might live

Dependent on the Grace you give

I’d rather be here by your side

Than on that great mountainside

Give me the faith and hope that’s yours

As Your spirit through me pours

To a world in need of you

Give me strength for them to view

Let me show the Glory of Your Hope

Far from that slippery slope

In the valley where you stand

Let me walk and hold Your hand

Though the Valley may be dark

You’re the light, my precious spark

You are all I need to know

Let me walk now here below

Give me the love of Your great smile

That casts aside my selfish guile

Remove thoughts of self pity

Your heart to see more clearly

You are the only one I need

For my soul you have freed

By the valley that You walked

To the cross where you were mocked

So let me walk this valley too

Where there your heart I knew

Keep your mountains filled with pride

Let me stay here at Your side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNv4_Y93slI (Preview)

Once upon a time there was a young girl who with all the fears and doubts that sometimes comes in wondering whether there could ever be someone who would love her.  She longed for love, hoped for love; yet, when she looked in the mirror she could see all of the blemishes and felt herself comely and unworthy of love.  A Prince came and  standing upon a hill in the distance, would sing to her a love song.  Her heart would leap for joy to hear His voice, she would long to see Him there on the hill and would come to the meadow often in hopes to see His face and hear His love song.  She longed to know more of Him; yet, she was afraid that if He were to look closely He would see the scars and the dark blotches that covered her, He would see the filthy rags that she wore as a slave and He would then reject her.  Her fear of His rejection caused her to search for other loves which never filled her heart with joy; indeed, at times they caused her greater pain as she felt rejected, abused.  So she would return to the meadow and Her prince again would arrive and sing to her a love song.  He wooed her heart and she longed to be with Him.  He told her of the price He must pay to free her from her slavery and that He must go away for a while; but she would have His love letters to remind her of Him and He would send one who would guide her, teach her of her beloved, would gently cleanse away all the blemishes and dark blotches so that she would be the spotless bride when He returned as her bridegroom.  With exuberant joy, with hope, and with great anticipation, she awaits the return of Her Beloved Prince.  Her love for Him so fills her that she finds that she must tell everyone she meets about her true love.  She wants everyone to know who He is.  She never ceases to be amazed by the depth of His love for her.  He loved her in her most unlovely state.  He patiently waited when she searched after other loves which were only counterfeit.  He wooed her.  He was willing to pay the price for her release from slavery.  Then, He sent her a helper to prepare her for the wedding day to come when she will see her Beloved face to face in all His Glory, seated on His throne as she bows to kiss the feet of her beloved while her tears of joy wash His feet.  That girl was I and that Prince is Jesus Christ, my beloved Savior.  I will forever be amazed that He chose me. 

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Matthew 9, and Matthew 25 we may note the reference to Christ as the bridegroom and we the believers as the bride; yet, there is no more graphic picture of the love of Christ for His Bride than that demonstrated in the "Song of Solomon".   There are two interpretations of the book.  First, it is the expression of pure marital love as ordained of God in creation exalting the holiness of marriage as God ordained.  Yet, there is a second and much more profound interpretation as this is symbolic of the love story of Christ (the Bridegroom) for His Church (the Bride). 

Song of Solomon 2: (AMP)

10 My beloved speaks and says to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree puts forth and ripens her green figs, and the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance. [b]Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

14 [So I went with him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps up the hillside, my beloved shepherd said to me] O my dove, [while you are here] in the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock, in the sheltered and secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, [c]let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

15 [My heart was touched and I fervently sang to him my desire] Take for us the foxes, the [d]little foxes that spoil the vineyards [of our love], for our vineyards are in blossom.

16 [She said distinctly] My beloved is mine and I am his! He pastures his flocks among the lilies.

17 [Then, longingly addressing her absent shepherd, she cried] Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, return hastily, O my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young hart as you cover the mountains [which separate us].

Footnotes:

1. Song of Solomon 2:6 Do I have a constant sense of my Shepherd’s presence, regardless of my surroundings?
2. Song of Solomon 2:13 Do I take time to meet my Good Shepherd each day, letting Him tell me of His love, and cheering His heart with my interest in Him?
3. Song of Solomon 2:14 Do I realize that my voice lifted in praise and song is sweet to Him, or do I withhold it?
4. Song of Solomon 2:15 What is my greatest concern, the thing about which most of all I want Christ’s help? When He asks to hear my voice, what do I tell Him?

"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified^® Bible,

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

So I would ask of you the same 4 questions listed in the footnotes of the Amplified Bible as listed above to which I would add?

Have you met my Beloved Prince?

Have you realized that He is standing on the hill, singing His love song over you, and asking you be His?

Have you fallen completely in love with Him and seek Him as your greatest treasure?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=kbFEWYFJfOo&feature=endscreen

So often when we are facing storms we tend to allow fear and worry to enter our minds.  We look at our bank account and the ever increasing debts, wondering how long until total financial ruin overtakes us.  We gaze into the eyes of a loved one dying an agonizing death and wonder why?  A Police Officer goes out to face another night of duty on a salary that cannot feed his family only to this time face being shot and killed by the same criminal he had arrested 5 times and the justice system had released all 5 times before, and we cry out why? The people we most trusted take a knife of accusations driving the pain deep within our hearts.  We turn on the news and see violence, war, collapsing markets, pain, suffering and chaos with fear entering our hearts and we wonder if all that we have is hopelessness blended with despair.  In the darkness of the night we cry out for help and there a soft voice may whisper a command for the storm to cease, while a comforting blanket of peace covers our soul allowing hope to rise once more.  We, who know that we are the redeemed because of the finished work of Christ, can rest assured that if we call His name; He is there to save us.  Look at these verses from the Psalms of David:

Psalm 34:

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 145: 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

You may say, I have cried to Him and the storm is still raging around me, now what?  Yes, dear friend, sometimes it appears so; but I have learned through many violent storms that God was right there in the midst protecting, guiding, and comforting me with every inch of the way.  I would never lie to you and try to say that fear never enters my heart.  I would never say that sorrows, frustrations, angers, and pangs of bitterness resulting from false accusations do not press down upon me at times.  Yet, I will say; they have no place remaining in my heart or my mind.  I have learned that when they appear to be taking hold of me, I need to perform these three simple acts.

1.  Speak His Name.  For there is power in the name of Yahweh, My LORD–the Great I am.

2.  I Must Remember who My Father is.  He is Jehovah Jireh (My Provider), Jehovah Nissi (My banner of Victory), Jehovah Rapha (My healer), Jehovah Rohi (My shepherd), Jehovah Shalom (My Peace), Jehovah Tsidkenu (Provider of My Righteousness), Jehovah Shammah (Present with Me), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (My Sanctifier), El Olam (Everlasting God), El Shaddai (Almighty God)—The Omnipotent, Omniscient, the Great I am who desires the best for me and lavishes upon me His love, His joy found only IN HIM.

3.  Praise God for who He is because even when you cannot see or understand His plan, you can assuredly trust His heart.

Remember these steps every time fear tries to grip your heart, sorrow brings you to tears, or betrayal tries to plant a seed of bitterness and you will see how God turns your pain into joy while the watching world become amazed as they receive a glimpse of the Glory of God through the shining face of joy, hope displayed in the midst of great tragedy.  Perhaps your trials will lead someone to Christ and is there any pain too great to bare for the salvation of one soul?  This entire lifetime is but a second compared to eternity.  Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith.

Psalm 16: 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StjU16a5BFY (Preview)

I was talking to my daughter the other day when she said, "Why is it Mom that you and I always seem to have so many trials.  Others seem to have their life all together and we always have some mess that we are dealing with." Either a car breaks down, some disaster with the house, some tribulation stemming from work, some financial disaster, must finish all this paperwork, someone is sick, and the list goes on.  Did you ever feel that way?  Did you in the midst of all the chaos of life wonder about your faith?  Did you wonder if something is wrong with you?  After all, there are a lot of people telling you that it is your lack of faith or some sin in your life causing you to be in the place you are.  Some well meaning "Christians"  want to tell you that if your faith were strong enough you could name it and claim whatever earthly treasure you want.  Yet, if you look at Romans 5 or Acts 14, it is so not the case. 

Romans 5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Acts 14: 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Oh, please do not get me wrong here.  We are not sorrowful, moaning saints carrying our cross until the day Jesus returns.  I for a long time made that mistake.  The truth is that as we grow in our faith, trials do come; yet, we rejoice even in the midst of the trial.  We begin to with expectant joyous hope await the victorious results that we know our heavenly Father is bringing. Just like when we are waiting for a wonderful, happy ending to a movie; yet, this time the movie is our life.  We are waiting to see with great hope how God is going to show His Glory by solving the problem 1 minute before midnight. That is what true faith as it grows does.  Then we become joyful in the very midst of great trials as we wait upon our Father’s showing up to display His Glory. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:…12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are the results of trials when it comes to faith.

1.  Trials manifest faith and the beauty of faith.  It is through the trials that faith is demonstrated. If everything is smooth sailing, where is faith shown? It doesn’t require faith to skip along in joy when there is no trial.  Faith is faith only when you keep believing when all hope would appear gone by the rest of the world.

2.  Trials purify faith.  As you keep believing and faith sustains you through one trial until you see the finished work of God’s Glory shining forth from that trial–then your faith is stronger, hope is greater when the next trial comes.

3.  Trials bring praise, honor, and Glory to God.  As the unsaved world looks on, they take notice when a dear saint marches forward through trials with hope, peace, love, and joy as their banner.  Then suddenly while all are watching, God performs a miracle that all take notice.  Sometimes that miracle is the genuine joy displayed by the one suffering.

4.  Trials display the beauty of the sacrifice which Christ endured on our behalf and turns our hope to God alone.  Our hope is not in this world or in ourselves.  1 Peter 1:18  18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

5. The display of God’s Glory may be in proportion to the intensity of the trial.  That is the intensity may increase that God’s Glory might be displayed with greater beauty. 

So, dear friends, lift up your head and rejoice when trials come.  Ok, I understand, reality is that at first you may grumble and intermittently you may become wearied and grumbling thoughts come into your head.  You wonder if it is all your fault because you didn’t love God as you should.  You hate yourself for some sin you committed years ago or some weakness of faith you are clinging to.  The truth is trials come and this is your moment to remember all that God has done.  Remember, the six steps from yesterday’s note which I will place below.  Your faith will be tried, stretched and will grow tiny steps at first, inch by inch until it flourishes into a spring of hope and joy in the midst of the trial.

So, if you are facing things that would appear to be trials or obstacles; remember these principles.

1.  Remember who your Father is–He name is "Yahweh–I am" Psalm 91: 14 I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

2.  Remember God’s promise that His plan is for your good–(Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)

3.  Remember God cradles you in His Arms as He sings over you with joy, firmly held by His love. (Zephaniah 3:17)

4.  Remember His love proven by Christ’s death on the Cross. (John 15:13, John 17)

5.  Remember who you are IN Christ–Because of the blood of Christ by faith and not by my own works, You have been saved.  Thereby, in Christ You are  redeemed (risen), blessed, beloved, chosen, child of the King-heir of royalty, imprisoned by abounding love, servant because of overwhelming gratitude, enlightened by His light, New Creation, filled with His gifted faith, and declared a Saint. (1 Corinthians)

6.  Remember that God chose you and He will equip you.

Listen to this song sung by Dennis Jernigan,  "The Point of Grace"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAYgmKFYDJA (Preview)