Effie Darlene Barba

Has God asked you to step out in faith to go where He has asked you to go?  Do you look at the task before you seeing so many mountains that it appears to be impossible to cross them?  Do you feel injured, betrayed because the ones you trusted, respected and served accused you with a vengeance that cut through your heart like a knife blade piercing your very heart and soul?  Yes, you know that God veiled their eyes to the truth; because, He has a better plan for your life and needs you to be willing to step out in faith to embrace the future He has planned.  Much like Joseph who was betrayed for jealousy by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned–God’s plan had led him every step and ultimately he was able to say. I wrote about Joseph’s story at length in my September 15th blog (Glory to Glory- Part 4- God’s Transforming Grace in the Life of Joseph – See more at: http://myglorytoglory.com ) Yet, in reminder, let me add this.  Joseph did ultimately understand that it had been God who allowed and even orchestrated it all so as to place Joseph where God needed him to be.  Joseph showed his understanding of this when he told his brothers, (Genesis 45:) "therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 50) "20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,".  Still, as you read the story of Joseph; in his humanity he still felt pain, sorrow and tears at moments.  I recognize that perfect faith and understanding should cause me to march forward with no moments of sorrow, no moments of doubt and no moments of fear; yet, those feelings enter at times mingled with a bitter-sweetness  blended with hope.  It is a hope that comes out of knowing who my Father is and knowing that His name is the Great I am-the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, the owner of all the Universe.  It is a hope born out of remembering all the moments of my past and the wonderful way God had woven my life together.  Remember? In July, I told you God had fulfilled a promise made thirty three years ago and like Abraham when Isaac was laid into his arms; how could I ever doubt the wondrous grace and love of my Father.  I do not know how I am going to cross all these mountains; but, I trust my Father has it.  Then, I remember–

Isaiah 41: 9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

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, I have been saved.  Thereby, in Christ I am 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 Saint. (1 Corinthians)

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

Write these down and tuck them away in your pocket to read and be reminded each moment that doubt or fear tries to enter.  Yet, remember; God knows our frailty and understands those moments as well.  He will graciously hold you, comfort you, and guide each step.  Remember those trials you have already walked through and how He sustained you.  All of this is true, if you know Him as Your Father because you accepted His gift of Salvation.  If you don’t know that God is Your Father, then read yesterday’s blog.

I was blessed by this song sung by Dennis Jernigan that I found this morning.  I felt like God was singing this over me as I listened, so if you feel wounded today; I hope you listen to this song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RCzzYbak9g (Preview)

Over the past few weeks, I had in the series Glory to Glory presented to you the magnificent beauty which is seen in the face of Christ; a beauty to be greatly desired.  I have presented to you that Christ is the only way to have a relationship with God; because He is the one who bore the wrath of an Almighty, All powerful, Just God who could not look upon man’s unrighteousness. Indeed in our unrighteous state unless we accept Christ as our Savior and receive His cloak of righteousness to cover us we cannot look upon the full Glory of God without being burned by it’s flames.  Exodus 24: "17 And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount"  The magnificence of God’s Glory is so great that we cannot on this earth ever fully see it; but we can see glimpses of it which draw us ever nearer. Exodus 33: "18 And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.19 And He (God) said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

20 And He (God) said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."  Christ came in human flesh so that we might gaze upon His face, His love, and His willingness to die in our place.  He had set aside the heavenly Glory which He knew so as to suffer and die in our place.  John 17: "O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

Some would try to say that there are many ways to Heaven and that my insistence in Christ being the only way is intolerant. Others would insist that they have lived a "good life" and therefore deserve heaven.  Some would insist that it is Christ plus works that leads to heaven and that though salvation is somehow procured through Christ it is maintained by our own strength to perform afterwards.  These statements I wish to address below. 

To the first, let me say that Christ Himself has declared, John 14: "6  I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Mankind’s condemnation had already been in place.  The mere fact that God has not yet completely destroyed the entire human race is an act of mercy and grace.  The law had been given; but the law could not save mankind–it merely proved what a regenerate bunch we are.  That was why the sacrificial system was needed even in the old testament, pointing toward the Messiah who would pay the penalty for our sins once as the final sacrifice. Therefore, Christ came not to condemn; but to set the sinner free from the chains which bound him and to be the only propitiation for sin.  John 3: "17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil"  There could be no other way to God but the way that He provided at a grave cost to Himself.  We can never appreciate the magnitude of Christ’s Sacrifice unless we comprehend the magnitude of God’s wrath against sin–it is like a consuming fire.  Christ bore the fullness of that wrath in my place.  There is no other means of salvation given to mankind.  Indeed, how much greater could God’s wrath burn than the rejection of His ultimate sacrifice? 

Hebrews 10: "29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  It is His mercy that allows each sinner to live one more day, to have one more chance to accept His gift of salvation. 

And to those who believe their own works will get them into the presence of God? Romans 3: "10 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."  The very thought of using our own "righteousness" is demonstrative of how self-exalting we really are, thinking ourselves to be glorious on the same level as our Creator.  How foolish we are if we have not seen the darkness which fills our own heart. 

For those who think it is Christ plus works, are you so proud as to believe without His indwelling power that you could ever of your own will perform anything worthy of praise?  Every act of kindness, every moment of grace demonstrated must come from Him.  Did He not say upon the cross "It is finished."?  What can I add to His completed work?  My only hope to ever demonstrate or live out His likeness is to moment by moment die to my own self and look, steadily gazing upon His face of love.  I have no righteousness, but that given to me by Him. 

Yet, if your only reason to seek salvation is to avoid God’s wrath and you do not see Him as Gloriously Beautiful; then, I fear you do not know Him.  So, what are the steps of salvation?

1. I must recognize that God is Holy and I am a sinner undeserving of Grace.

2. I must see God as Gloriously Beautiful, the greatest treasure which I seek with all my heart, mind and soul.  He being so worthy of my praise, that even if He never gave me anything, even if heaven and hell were not on the line–I would still praise Him for Who He Is, the Great I am.

3.  I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, part of the triune God who came to live on earth in perfect righteousness, take upon Himself the full wrath that I deserved, die on the cross, and is now sitting on His throne at the right Hand of the Father making intercession for all who come to Him believing.

4.  I must then ask Him into my heart.

Below I have included this youtube video I found with an excerpt of an incredible sermon Jonathan Edwards wrote in the 1700’s read by Max Mclean.  You can purchase the sermon in it’s entirety at http://www.listenersbible.com/products/audio-cds/jonathan-edwards-sinners-in-the-hands-of-angry-god?cPath=3 or at the i-tunes store like I did. The sermon is titled "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God"

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

As we have looked at the excellencies of Christ that draw us to His magnificent beauty, we have looked at the beauty of His creation (the heaven, earth and all it’s inhabitants), His righteousness, His justice, His power, His love, His grace, His joy and His wisdom.  We have seen Him glorious and worthy of our praise while at the cross He who knew no sin took upon Himself the sin of the world so that He might pay the penalty for an undeserving self-exalting, self-centered bunch such as we are.  I have presented Him as the only one who can fully satisfy our desire and search for exhilarating, awe inspiring beauty which leads to joy, hope, and love overflowing.  His love so overwhelming, His grace so amazing, and His sacrifice for me so compelling that He has drawn me out to desire and gaze upon His face.  For me, the more I know of Him; the more I recognize that it is a mystery that He could have ever chosen me.  He sought after me, He has pursued me, He wooed me and He has unveiled His glory that I might see His beauty as that which I desired most, my most precious treasure. 

2 Corinthians 4: (AMP)6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

When I first accepted Christ, I knew only glimpses of that Glory.  I knew that I was a sinner in need of a Savior and that Christ had died to pay the price for my sin and the blood of Christ was the only way to cover my sin that I might enter into a relationship with God.  I saw a glimpse of His love and I wanted to have Him in my heart.  Then, as I asked Him to enter into my heart, He did.  Then with such patience, such tenderness, such love, and such grace He began the work of transforming me into someone who one day will be able to gaze upon the fullness of His beauty and His Glory.  His desire is to fill my heart with joy, love and glory.  Step by step, inch by inch, and glory by glory He is ever about revealing more of Himself to me that I might ever seek more of Him, savor the exquisiteness of His presence, trust Him more and fall ever deeper in love with Him.  The Holy Spirit working within me to comfort and guide me along this journey.  One day when I have completed the transformation and my work on earth is done, I will be standing before Him.  Only then will I fully appreciate and understand this journey that led me to His presence.  I will only then realize that every tear, every sorrow, every trial, every joy, every moment of faith, and every step of this journey had been orchestrated by a Loving, Almighty God to transform my heart to be able to see His Glory. The veil was torn that I might see the glimpses of that and one day see the magnitude of God.

2 Corinthians 3: 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

So I have five questions for you:

1.  Do you see Christ as so beautiful and so worthy of your praise, that even if He gave you nothing in return, you would praise Him?

2.  Have you ever come to that moment in which you have asked Him into your heart?

3.  Do you seek and savor Him with all your heart, mind and soul?

4.  Is Christ your greatest treasure?

5.  Have you ever fallen deeply, madly in love with Christ– Desiring to always be in His presence and to learn more of His magnificent beauty and Glory?

"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified^® Bible,

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxiuJL6ubPo (Preview)

The Exceeding Beauty of the Glory of Christ was magnified when He died on the cross in our place.  His love shone forth His Glory as He willingly took upon Himself the sin and guilt of mankind.  He, who was God, left His throne to suffer and bare the full wrath that justice demanded for my sin.  The law, as given to Moses, was proof that there was none righteous.  Every one of us stumble at the first commandment to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and minds and souls.  Every one of us is so caught up in our own self comforts, desires, and self exalting behaviors so that we are incapable of loving God even 1/10th of what we should.  We seek after treasures that can never fill our hearts with joy everlasting.  Ohh, perhaps for a fleeting moment we think we have joy; then we shutter and cry as that treasure disintegrates into dust before us and we feel our heart break.  All that we believed was our hope is gone and we search to find true joy.  It is there where all else is stripped away that we are able to see, to seek after, to hunger for, and to savor the beauty of Christ’s face.  We are suddenly able to see the beauty of His willingness to suffer such pain for us.  While content with our little life of selfish desires we may have noted some of God’s Glory because of His righteousness as we consider the law; but, I daresay sorrow is what unveils the truth that all other joy except a relationship with God is merely fleeting, counterfeit joy.  A part of God’s glory was shown forth in the giving of the law.  His righteousness and His justice were displayed so that His Glory shone forth; yet, there was a veil, a curtain that must separate man from seeing God’s face. That veil was necessary because of our sin.  Without the veil, man could not look upon perfect righteousness without immediate judgment and death.  There was a sacrificial system in which the priest would go in and place the atoning blood of a lamb without blemish for the sins of the people.  Though this was a picture pointing toward Christ, it was never complete in itself until Christ came to bare the sins of mankind once and for all on the cross.  What great sorrow, pain, and agony He had to endure when His own very soul and spirit were ripped from Him as the Father and Holy Spirit turned and poured out the wrath that justice demanded.  He could not feel their love and comfort as His flesh suffered the shame, the guilt, and the agony of the cross where our sins laid upon His shoulders.

Matthew 27: 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

At the moment of Christ’s death the veil was torn from top to bottom.  Only now could mankind look upon a Holy God and seek the face of Christ.  The greatest travesty that ever occurred on this earth occurred so that the veil which hid God’s Glory was rent in two so that now with my sins covered by the blood of Christ and being cloaked in His righteousness; I might gaze upon the face of Christ where step by step, glory by glory I am transformed into His image so that I might share in His love, His joy, and His glory.  Not because of anything that I have done to deserve such grace; but because of Christ’s willingness to suffer His greatest sorrow for me.  So, there is a place where sorrow and joy do meet.  That place is at the foot of the cross of our Great Savior.  Then, why do I ever moan here on this earth; except, to mourn my inadequacy to see Him clearer?  If it has been pain and sorrow that has drawn me to Him, then I would gladly walk every step again so that I might seek His face.  Gazing upon His Face, falling in love with He who loved me in all my ugliness, and realizing that true, eternal Joy is found only in Him; I am able to continue on this journey toward home through whatever trials it may bring with faith, hope and love. 

Avalon sang a song "Where Joy and Sorrow" meet.  Thank you, Sarah for sending me this link.

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

The darkness of the hour was approaching, as Christ walked toward the Garden of Gethsemane where he would in His heart and soul confront the reality of what was about to take place.  He had come to earth for this very moment; yet, the agonizing thought still lay before Him of the moment when the sin of the world would be laid upon His shoulders and He must endure the full wrath of sin’s penalty being poured out upon Him from His Father.  He knew that He was about to endure the cruel mockings of all who would accuse Him.  He knew that He would be beaten to nearly beyond recognition with the agonizing physical pain. He would be rejected and denied by those He had come to save with a brokenness of heart-the sorrow of that rejection mingled with the sorrowful compassion desiring to save them.  Then, He must have the nails driven through His hands and feet as He was hung upon the cross. He, who was seated on His throne at His Father’s right hand, co-creator of the Universe now naked, shunned by those whom He came to save.  He could have called down legions of angels and said, "I am done…Forget this plan and cast them all into eternal damnation."  Yet, His love for you and me held Him to that cross.  He knew that greatest agony that would come would be when He would feel His very heart ripped to shreds as the Father’s love was torn from Him.  When mankind’s sin would be laid upon Christ, the Father’s perfect righteousness would force His immediate separation from Christ as He turned His back upon His son for perfect righteousness cannot look upon sin.  The price that perfect Justice demanded so that God’s Holiness and Righteousness were not compromised poured forth upon His Beloved Son.  Christ had never before been separated from the love of His Father; yet, even in that horrific moment–Christ cried out to the Father to forgive them.  As Christ Jesus approached the Garden, He was praying and we see that prayer in John 17 (which I encourage you to read that whole chapter).  Within that prayer He has demonstrated His heart as He asks the protection of all of us who are chosen to be adopted into His family.  He asks that we be protected from evil, that our joy be fulfilled, that we experience the depth of the love imparted to us from the overflowing fountain of God’s love for Christ, and that we might become partakers of the Glory of God.  What greater display of the Glory, the Beauty, the magnificence of Christ could be presented than this demonstrated in His sacrificial love for me and for you? 

John 17: These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.….13 that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves….

15  thou shouldest keep them from the evil….

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth….

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Is there any greater beauty or Glory displayed in the face of Christ than that demonstrated on the cross?  Yet, the power of salvation became reality as He came forth from the grave victorious to be seated once more on His throne at the Father’s right hand to make intercession for you and me.  Do you seek His face?  Do you desire to have Him as your greatest treasure? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZuIyrwSqHY&list=TLihc44QtgkhxuuuOZxCBOdDeLwna5OFFa