Effie Darlene Barba

Have you ever sat in envy as you watched while it seemed that the ones who prospered were those who did not love God while you struggled through life’s trials?  It seemed that those who even defiled His Holy name prospered with great wealth while you worshiped God with all your heart and prosperity was never yours–indeed all your work for the Lord, all your giving, all your sacrifice seemed unnoticed by God and man?  You were grateful for what you did have; yet, you wondered when will the struggles cease and why did the evil seem to proper so. Your faith was shaken and a tiny seed of doubt entered your mind as you struggled within to continue your work for the Lord.  That was true of Asaph.  He was a singer of the tribe of Levi.  He was appointed to stand before the Ark of the Covenant to praise God all the day long and to sound the cymbals of brass as the Ark was brought and placed in the Tent that King David had pitched to house the Ark.  King David had handed his psalms of praise to Asaph who had been appointed chief singer.  I am uncertain as to the timing when Asaph had written Psalm 73.  Was it before or after this appointment?  It is a Psalm that urges each of us as believers to test our own relationship with God.  What is that we seek?  If you read through verses 2 through 16 you will see the agony of a man questioning his own faith as he looked around him and saw that the wicked seemed to prosper while he "14 For all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning".  His question had come, was all His faith and sacrifice worth anything?  Look at verse 13, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency"  Have you ever been there dear friend?  The problem for Asaph and for us is a matter of the heart and wherein lies our focus.  As Asaph pondered and even as in verse 2 he cries, "my feet were almost gone and my feet had well nigh slipped"  Yet in that moment, then suddenly he came into the sanctuary of God where God’s truth was revealed to him.  Suddenly, his foolish eyes were opened to the Glory of God and that is when he proclaimed,

Psalm 73: 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Miraculously, everything changed and he suddenly realized that God was his greatest treasure and even more the only treasure worth seeking.  All this stuff that he had perceived the wicked had was rubbish, counterfeit treasure compared to what he had which was a relationship with God Almighty.  Counterfeit joy and counterfeit treasure were only that–counterfeit and could not fill the heart with peace, hope and joy.  In fact, often they lead to despair in this life and certainly they lead to utter darkness in eternity as those who comfort themselves in these earthly pleasures fail to seek God as their treasure.  Perhaps the poorest of all are those who cannot see their need of God because of all they have here on earth.  Let us look at the declarations that Asaph ultimately recognized and clung to with all his heart.

Declaration #1:  "Whom have I in heaven but thee?"  When you think of heaven, what is your first thought?  Do you merely see it as an escape from hell?  Do you follow after Christianity merely to escape from hell?  Or do you see it as a place to finally be free from pain and suffering here?  Perhaps you see as a means of seeing loved ones who have gone before or for the "streets paved with gold".  If these are your reasons for joining a church and attending, then I wonder if you really know Christ.  If you do not realize that the greatest treasure of heaven is to see His Glorious face and to fall before Him in love and gratitude; then, do you know Him?  Do you seek Him?

Declaration #2:  "there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee".  What is your hearts greatest desire?  Is it money, position, love, happiness, release from suffering, or is it an intimate relationship with God?   I daresay that in the jail ministry as the women continuously came with their only request being, "God get me out of here!!"  My question to them was, "If God gave you nothing in return for your worshiping Him and if there was no heaven or hell, would you worship Him anyway because of who He is?  Would you see Him so Gloriously worthy of your praise that you would bow before Him in loving adoration even if He gave you nothing in return but a moment in His presence?  If your answer is no, then my fear is you don’t know Him. If your answer is yes then trust Him for grace to face today and future grace to carry you safely into His loving arms one day.  Accept His gift of salvation and all the covenant promises He has provided for His children, call upon His name and let Him be the greatest that you could ever know." 

Following these two declarations, Asaph was then able to sing, " My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

What is your heart’s desire?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gaT4q9eJ1U

If God is the light of the world and the only hope, then why do we Christians hide that light under a bushel as we go about our day?  Is there anyone that you met today that you have told about Christ?  Are you spending your day with a soft prayer to Christ going out so that you remain sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to speak?  What do you need to do to become an effective witness for Christ?

Psalm 119: 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Look at what the Psalmist said, "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes".  When was the last time that you looked around you at the sin in the world and cried for the lost?  I must confess that it is very easy to become hardened and not care.  Oh, we may pray halfheartedly for our nation; but do we care enough to become a witness ourselves?  If we do witness, are we doing it with empathy and compassion or are we mechanically going through the steps to hear the clamor of our own voices?  What are the necessary elements to becoming a witness for Christ?

Element #1:  Study the Word of God.  If the light that shines out of darkness to change men’s hearts is the word of the Lord, then you need to know His word.  (2 Corinthians 4:6; John 1:1-4;

Element #2:  Constant Prayer.  This includes not only that quiet time of prayer alone with God that you are asking for His heart for the lost world; but also that continuous open line of communication that you have throughout the day.  Our minds are continuously going, caught in a whirlwind of thoughts–is it not reasonable that we remember God is with us with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us?  When I remember this, I can remain in constant prayer while going about my day.  Well, you might say some of my thoughts I don’t want to share with God (as though He didn’t hear them anyway)  God is walking beside us and hears our every thought, the difference known when we recognize this and allow our thoughts to become like a conversation with our best friend–then we become open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting us as to when to speak and when to remain silent.  I have found this to be true.  On those days that I give God the silent treatment, I can’t hear His voice and my day becomes filled with frustrations. 

Element #3:  Willingness to be a Servant.  Are you willing to be a servant for Christ?  Are you willing to be criticized by others for your testimony?  Are you willing to lose everything to gain Christ?  Is Christ your greatest treasure?  (Romans 10:14; Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 6:6)

Element #4:  Compassion for the lost.  The Bible refers to God’s compassion for mankind throughout the word of God; indeed, were it not for His compassion—I, too would be condemned to eternity without Him–the only true source of Joy, Love, and Hope.  Psalm 78: "37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."  Once we have experienced His compassion, how is it that we so quickly become smug in our own salvation and look down at those who are lost or who are different?  My children would tell you that I have only been protected by God’s gracious hand when I have taken in some to help or have walked down the worst streets of Orlando to rescue another soul I was trying to help; yet, I do not suggest you do the same without going back to Element #2 and being certain it is God’s Voice directing you.  Those moments when it was me only going forth to do God’s work and not waiting for Him– ended in disappointment–so I have learned the importance of prayer and doing things on His timing, His way and never running ahead of Him.  Don’t try to cross the river until He builds the bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCwn7cV4AD0 (Preview)

When God created man in His image (body, soul, and spirit), He did so in order to share His love, His Joy, and His Glory–because He had such overflowing love and joy that He desired to lavish it upon someone who could experience and feel the intensity of wonder, greatness and envision His Glory.  Were mankind a mere robot, devoid of choice and devoid of a full range of emotion; then, he would be incapable of feeling ecstasy.  In that same light, if I never knew what sorrow was or loneliness could I understand joy?  If I never felt the empty void within my heart that only God could feel would I ever understand or know the peace and comfort found in my relationship with Him?  Adam had never known a day without God’s presence until the day Adam’s love for Eve lured him to disobey God.  Eve had been tempted, she wanted to become equal with God.  Sin is often man putting himself in God’s place. Adam remembered what God had said; yet, Adam loved Eve more than he loved God at that moment and was willing to face whatever punishment for disobedience with her.  Still, that very act which separated them from God (they died spiritually) resulted in their loss of joy and love which then resulted in their own discord between each other.  Thus began their first argument as they began their blame game of accusations.  Without God indwelling spirit, Adam’s love for Eve was then changed to disgust and disdain as he blamed her for his own sin.  Ever since then, man has still tried to say or prove that he can reach God-likeness on his own.  Sometimes in defiance saying, "I don’t need you God; look at what I can do on my own" or "Look at how good I am, wouldn’t you want me in your kingdom."  Either one of these statements out of covetous, self exalting hearts fail to see the glory and righteousness which is truly God.  Because mankind continuously wanted to prove his own worthiness of heaven (though he is no more than a speck of sand in the magnificent universe created by God); God gave the law which merely proved man’s inability to perform and served as a means to help man recognize and acknowledge his sin.  Sometimes that sin being one of commission and at times a sin of omission (failure to do what is required of us).  The law could never save anyone because no man of his own actions and thoughts could perform the perfect law both with action and with heart.  God knew this and even before Adam sinned God had a plan for man’s salvation.  The only righteousness that counts with God is that which comes from God because only God is perfect righteousness; yet, perfect righteousness requires perfect justice.  God’s love was so great, His desire to lavish His joy and love on all who would accept His gift by faith resulted in His paying the price through the sacrifice of Christ’s death on the cross so that He could accept the blood of His own son (the body of the trinity–while the Father is the soul and the Holy Spirit the Spirit).  Thus he created the great exchange; He takes all my sin and gives me His righteousness.  So if sin is man putting himself in God’s place, Salvation came as God took our place, our penalty, our suffering and our pain.  His desire is to lavish upon us His love, His joy and His glory–that we might understand the overwhelming ecstasy of what a relationship with Him means.  We can only do that by having our eyes opened to see a glimpse of His Glory that we might desire it.    Now, read the following verses slowly, carefully grasping the truth of His word. 

Romans 3: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

With such great love demonstrated, how can I desire anything more than I desire Him?  How can I love anyone more than I love God?  Each day I fall on my knees, for His Grace still amazes me and His love is still a mystery.  Every day I fall deeper in love with Him? 

Do you know Him?  Have you ever come to Christ to say, I am a sinner with a deep void in my heart.  I know that I am unworthy of you; but I believe your word which says that if I confess my sins and trust in your propitiation for my sin; you will save me.  I believe that you are the creator of the universe and I believe that Christ died for my sins and I long to have a vibrant relationship with you; so I hand you my sins, my covetous heart, my selfish desires and I believe as your word says that you will come into my heart to dwell with me.  Thank you.  In Jesus name I pray and all my hope stands, Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNJGhq8PPRs (Preview)

The Grace in Which I Stand

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Oh feeble heart, Oh fragile soul

Where is the hope on which you hold

With all the failures of your past

Where is the faith to make you bold

Where is the faith to make you bold

There was a King though blameless He

That came to pay my penalty

And in that act He set me free

To follow Him in liberty

To follow Him in liberty

It is His love that drew me out

And in His Grace I shall not doubt

That He who started this work in me

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

Will finish it with a Glorious Shout

One day the finished work be done

That I might look then like God’s son

Sifted, shined just like pure Gold

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

As Glory shines forth, Glorious One

And in this hope my faith conformed

I know my life will be transformed

I stand upon this future grace

So for His work my passion warmed

So for His work my passion warmed

So in this faith I firmly stand

That formed in me as God had planned

No force on earth can shake me free

My future held by God’s great hand

My future held by God’s great hand.

While filling out the questionnaire for the upcoming Launch Conference that I will be attending, one question was what was my mission statement.  I realized that every hospital that I had worked and perhaps even Florida Cardiology have had a mission statement; yet, did I know those and did I truly follow them or let them guide my work at that company?  Suddenly, I realized that a mission statement for myself and my ministry for Christ must be one that really and truly guides what I do.  Truly a mission statement should be one that I return to often to see if indeed I am accomplishing what I have set forth to do.  Do you have a mission statement for your life?  If so, what would it be?  For Paul the apostle, his mission statement is as follows:

Philippians 3: 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

For Paul the apostle, this was what guided every area of His life.  This is what he was truly passionate about.  I have written previously in blogs and also have a chapter in "A Broken and Contrite Heart"  that asks, "What is your true passion?"  Let’s take this one step further,  is that for which you are most passionate become your mission statement?  Passion is an emotion and must come first; yet, to be passionate without actions that transform that passion into one’s life mission little is accomplished beyond sitting and reveling in that passion.  Example:  I can be passionate about dieting and exercise; yet, nothing happens until that passion is followed by action–a mission or goal set.  Developing a mission statement for your life guides you toward accomplishing and fulfilling your greatest passion by 3 means.

Mean #1: Goal Oriented.  A mission statement causes one to look ahead toward the goal.  As Paul whose goal became reaching the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  His goal was to become like Christ and to accomplish all that God had called him to do in the ministry of Christ.

Mean #2 Focus.  A mission statement when reviewed, posted, memorized, and quoted regularly helps you to focus on what is important toward fulfilling that goal.  Focus then prevents you from wandering off track down life’s road.

Mean #3:  Forces Action.  Setting forth a mission statement demands action.  It requires that one develop steps toward accomplishing that mission.  Back to the diet/exercise example–you must now develop a step by step guide toward accomplishing the goal.  (Recognize, that using the diet/exercise example, I do not suggest that your life mission be just that–merely it is an example that is easily understood and can be a smaller mission under the big true mission since health is important to reach any goal.)

So back to my answering the questionnaire and establishing my mission statement, I decided to look at the mission statements of some of my favorite pastor’s ministries.  So I turned to Truthforlife.org with Alistair Begg.  There I noted the mission statement to be:  " To teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened. "  I thought about all of the teaching I have heard from Alistair Begg and I said, "Wow, he truly follows and performs exactly his mission statement.  Then I looked at Leadingtheway.org with Michael Youssef and noted his mission statement to be "leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ, by passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth "  Once more, I realized that their mission statement guided all that they did.  So more urgently I searched for what would I say was my mission statement.  Then I looked at my business cards and realized, I had already stated it over a year ago; that was my true mission statement.  How could I have hesitated?  I must write it so heavily on my heart and post it around me so that I never forget.  It is Seeking and Savoring Christ that His Love and His Joy might be displayed. 

So let me ask you once more, what is your life’s mission statement?

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