Throughout the Bible, God provides us with similes to attempt to describe for us this love that He has for us.  These similes pale in comparison (particularly since sin has tainted the true meaning of either); but are used in an attempt to allow us to understand even minutely how much He loves us.  He frequently refers to His love for us as a husband for His bride or as a Father for His Son.  Both forms of love are distinct with their own characteristics; yet, each in their perfect form displays a part of the love God would have for us.

            There is no doubt that man searches for a love that completes him.  He searches for that one soul-mate which will understand him for himself and thereby allow him to become inspired to do more and be more than he has ever imagined himself to be.  We desire that love to be eternal and to never betray us in anyway.  This is demonstrated in so many love songs and romantic novels.  We applaud the love that overcomes every obstacle to be with the beloved.   We desire a love that would overlook our frailties and see us for the one we could become at our highest level of performance and who is willing to do whatever it takes to help us reach our fullest potential.  Yet, in this we are seeing a “need-love”.   We do not need a love that will only accept us where we are; but rather, will guide us to be the best we can be. 

photo courtesy of istock/rhennmorgan

We need one who will forgive all; yet, at the same time not accept our ugliness of spirit as being the best that we can be.  One who will continue to love and at the same time will gently guide us to be better than we were so that our beauty may become more gloriously seen.  It is precisely that kind of love which Christ has demonstrated to his Church, his beloved bride.

Continue reading Similes of God’s Love For You—Bride →

We have all been called into the ministry of Christ.  Perhaps you say, oh no; he didn’t call me to speak for him.  He called the preacher; but not me.  Who am I?  Or perhaps you have stepped out of your shell and are either speaking for Christ, writing for Christ, or ministering for Christ.  Still, you look at the time and the money spent and wonder whether it has made a difference?  We want God to reach down and pat us on the head to say, Good job.  We may think we want fame and success to be that which validates us, a sign from God to say we have pleased Him.  What if God never sends that? 

used courtesy of istock.com/finaldream

What about those moments when Satan keeps whispering to you about your past failures, your weaknesses, and your inabilities?  What about those moments when the whirlwinds of trials keeps causing your light to flicker so dimly, nearly being blown out with each gust?  What about those moments when fears of failure overwhelm your mind?   When all hope appears to be failing, everyone around you is whispering fearful words of doubt, and the road ahead appears treacherously dark; how do you keep marching forward? Remember these 5 truths…

Continue reading Breaking Through The Darkness With One Flickering Candle →

When Grammy Must Go

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Grammy, Grammy you are here

I heard his little voice

And saw his grin from ear to ear

To love had been his choice

 

As I looked into that face

That filled my life with joy

My grandson stood there in this place

This little precious boy

Chorus 1

So, why must I go Lord

And leave this precious child

With broken heart

I must depart

At your command I go

 

 Lord, I know your plan is best

The years have taught me this

Upon your love, my soul doth rest

Although his smile I’ll miss

 

Now dear Lord, then show me how

To say that I must leave

In such a way, my love doth show

And he’s not left to grieve

 

Chorus 2

Let your love pour down, Lord

Surround his heart with you

Fill him with joy

This dear little boy

Full of hope, and joy, and love

 

And now I must go

Lay aside all this woe

For you my precious King

Will take care of everything

Question:  Have you ever had to leave someone behind because  God said go?

© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba

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 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.”

When Micah the prophet preached to the children of Israel, he spoke with a very harsh tone.  His prophetic writings concerned the people’s sin, God’s judgement, and God’s ultimate restoration of the sinner.  If we look within the pews of our churches we might wish to cry forth the same.  Many times the enemy to Christianity are the very ones who call themselves Christians, sit in a pew every week, sing praise songs and pay their tithe; while the remainder of the week they go about the world making money or fame their idol.  I, too, must be ever mindful of the fact that as far as the world sees my daily actions are the only reflections of Christ that some will ever see.  Yet, what I am referring to are those who put on the outward show and claim that they are Christians; yet, their hearts have no inclination or love for the Lord.  These were to whom Micah was preaching in the Israel nation.  Those who went about performing the acts of sacrifice and presenting their burnt offerings; more for the show that true love or worship.  They desired what they could obtain or the gifts from God; but did not want the fellowship.  In fact, many worshiped idols.  In chapter 5 of Micah, Christ’s birth was prophesied.  Then in chapter 6 Micah pleaded with the people for repentance, a repentance of the heart.

Micah 6: 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

There were three things which the Lord required, which demonstrate the heart of the true believer.

Continue reading What Doth The Lord Require of Thee? →

Fear not is a direct command of God; yet, as humans how do we do that?  How do we lay aside all fear?  When facing trials, the uncertainties of a move, and when questioning ourselves as to whether or not we heard God correctly; we humans tend to fear the unknowns which are before us.  How do we look into the darkness of a future with unwavering faith?  We search and seek to know the future.  We want every detail to be laid out neatly so as to believe.  We tend to be planners and question God when we find that He may not have laid out the plan in the same way we have.  We may want to believe; yet, deep within us rises the urge to fear the unknown.  Still fear not is a command of faith that trusts in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and His determined will which is always intrinsically for the the good of His children-those who have been adopted into His family by faith in Jesus Christ.  C. S. Lewis wrote in his book The Problem of Pain the following quote. 

Artwork of Ronald Barba (used by permission)

"God’s will is determined by His wisdom which always perceives, and His goodness which always embraces, the intrinsically good. But when we have said that God commands things only because they are good, we must add that one of the things intrinsically good is that rational creatures should freely surrender themselves to their Creator in obedience. The content of our obedience—the thing we are commanded to do—will always be something intrinsically good, something we ought to do even if (by an impossible supposition) God had not commanded it. But in addition to the content, the mere obeying is also intrinsically good, for, in obeying, a rational creature consciously enacts its creaturely role, reverses the act by which we fell, treads Adam’s dance backward, and returns."  C.S. Lewis from The Problem of Pain Copyright © 1940, C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. Copyright restored © 1996 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd.

So, following the command of God not to fear is an act of trust in who God is.  It reflects our faith in Him, not the circumstances which surround us nor in our own abilities.  It must take our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances.  So how do we do this?  What are the steps we must take? 

Continue reading Slaying the Dragon of Fear →