Promises are only as good as the veracity of the one promising and their ability to keep that promise.  God’s covenant promises with mankind are based upon His truthfulness, faithfulness and are firmly grounded by His love.  They are not based upon our abilities nor our veracity.  He who spoke the universe into being has the power to keep those promises as well.  When God swore an oath with Abraham, He swore upon His own word because there was no greater power to swear upon. (Hebrews 6: 13).  Back in Genesis 9, following the flood; God established a covenant which was that never again would He destroy all of earth with a flood; thus He placed His bow in the sky as a symbol. (Genesis 9:11-13)a  The rainbow has ever since stood as a symbol of God’s grace and symbolic of more than just this one promise.  Indeed it stands as a symbol that God will complete His promises and will forever remain true to Himself.  It does not mean that judgment will not come; though not as a flood to destroy everything–His bow does stand for judgment as well as for His mercy. 

photo courtesy of Alberto Sepulveda

It stands as a firm sign of His covenant promises to all who believe and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  He paid the price, the penalty demanded that justice remain true.  Look at Revelations,

Continue reading God’s Bow in the Sky–Symbol of Judgment or Promise of Mercy- You Choose →

Matthew 11: 28

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

Though Christ has promised to provide us rest, there are moments in our lives that we are filled with sorrow such as described by David in this Psalm.

Psalm 69:

²I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

³I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

We wonder in those moments whether we can bare up under the weight of it all.  It was such a moment when my brother died suddenly, when my father died and again with the death of my beloved husband.  The same was true when I was told I had cancer and throughout the treatment for that and later the other illnesses and surgeries which plagued my life.  So often I wondered whether all

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this was God’s punishment for my sins and my failures.  I bore my cross with great sorrow and knew it would be worth it to one day see Christ.  As though this was the necessary cross so that I could be made acceptable to God and to be made worthy of His grace.  Yet, that was wrong and that was wrong theology;

Continue reading Yoked to Find Rest →

Would I Love You Even More

I felt the searing, pelting rain

Deep within my soul

I was uncertain where to turn

Or what should be my goal

 

I gazed upon a cross so far

That stood upon a hill

A Lion strong had died a Lamb

He gave His life at will

 

That I so undeserving be

Might see His face of love

A Glimpse of His true Glory

To fill me with from above

 

Would I love You just the same

When my life is filled with shame

When pain is all I know

Would my love for You still show?

 

Can I show Your Glory still

Accept this as Your will

When my heart is broke in two

Cradled in Your hands, renew

As on Your hope I soar

Would I love You even more?

 

This poem I wrote in 2010 after having surgery.  It had been a surgery in the which they had to reconstruct my abdominal wall with pig fascia.  So many prior surgeries had left my abdominal wall weak and I had multiple hernias.  It was necessary to attach the pig fascia to my rib cage which being very innervated resulted in a lot of pain at first.  The first day post surgery, I had lost my intravenous site and no one was able to start an IV immediately; meaning no pain medicine could be given.  As I lay there, I remember that there was a moment in which the pain was so intense that my body trembled, I could barely whisper when anyone asked me a question.  At first, I started to pray to God to just ease the pain; then, the thought entered my mind as to how much more was the pain Christ had suffered when they had beaten Him.  With the flesh torn and the certain bruises encircling His rib cage, followed by all the torturous day while being brought to trial.  No pain medicine would be brought to Him. They then hung Him to a cross with nails driven through His hands and feet.  Suddenly, I realized that my pain was nothing compared to what He so willingly bore for me.  My love for Him grew that day as I whispered a Thank You to my Lord and Savior.  Peace filled my soul.  Without pain and suffering can we ever realize the price He paid for us?  If I never faced trials would I realize my need for Him and the peace He provides?   If I never suffered loss would I be so content with counterfeit joys that I would never seek and find the only True Joy that is found in Him? 

2 Corinthians 1: 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

 

Question:  Can you remember a time when pain, trial or suffering  resulted in your loving God more?

 

Hope you enjoy this video I found, as I think this song is so beautiful. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnjc1zUXKec

 

© 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.”

If there is one thing that I have learned in life, through many trials of the past; God is in control.  He is my shield and my exceeding great reward.

  I do not need to know the exact details of tomorrow.

I need to know the anchor on which my hope is based.

 

image courtesy of istockphoto.com

God has a plan of good for my life and for my family.  The moment in which I am moving is drawing very near and the date of start for my job is not yet known.  Perhaps that would cause some to tremble just a little; yet, I know that God has ordered this move and has ordered the timing, so I have no fear.  I know who goes before me and I know who holds the answer to it all; therefore, I stand in elated joyful hope every day as I watch Him perform His miracles.  In July, I knew that I was to be going; but I did not know how or when.  Throughout my drive back from Missouri, I had prayed for God’s guidance and that He move the mountains.  I have watched as mountains have fallen before me.  I stand amazed at how God had orchestrated changes in my own heart over the past year and a half; preparing my heart to leave.  Change can at first be hard, particularly if you believe that you were sent somewhere as a mission.  I had been sent to Florida 10 years ago on God’s command. Yet, I felt I had not finished the mission I was sent for, so chains bound me to stay.  God broke

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What are we to do when those in powerful positions seem to be ruling with an evil hand?  Paul had been imprisoned by those in authority; yet, as he wrote to Timothy he admonished him to pray.  Paul understood that God was in control and that we as Christians need to pray for their salvation.  We must lead lives of quietness, peaceably proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We must not live our lives in anger toward them nor desiring their harm.  Our mission is to live out our lives in honesty and godliness, preaching and proclaiming the truth of the gospel so as to lead them to Christ.  Our desire must remain to be a light to the world, remembering that it was grace which saved us and desiring that same grace be bestowed on those around us and to those placed in positions over us.  The love of God within us is to be displayed to those around us.  Look at this verse from I Timothy.

I Timothy 2: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

This same truth was displayed by Daniel. 

Continue reading Humble, Loving Prayer that Changes the Hearts of Leaders and Nations →