Effie Darlene Barba

What happens to our faith when we face financial disasters, illness, loss of income, tragedies, or suffering? We question God, we fret, we try to work it out on our own, and we doubt God’s love for us.  We wonder if we have failed and God is so tired of our failures that He quit listening.  So where do we go?  How do we hold tight to joy in our salvation when it seems that God is not answering us or even listening?  Where do we find our faith?  There are two major elements of faith on which we can anchor our soul as outlined in Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Element #1:  Believe that God is.  Do you believe that God is the Creator of the Universe?  Do you know that He is omnipotent, omniscient, perfect righteousness, perfect love, Glorious King who reigns over all the earth? Do you believe that? Look at the manner in which Paul presented God to the people of Athens.  "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;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Acts 17.  Do you know and really comprehend who God is?  If you understood who He is, then why do you worry?  Do you not realize that it is He who gives you life and the next breath that you take?  Did not Christ say, (Matthew 6) "31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  So once more my question is, why are you worried and fretting?  Sometimes your own doubts as to who He is bombard your mind with so much noise that you cannot hear His voice.  In those cases, keep reading the scripture, search the attributes of God, list them, pray and then be prepared to hear His soft gentle voice awaken you in the middle of the night to sing a song of comfort to you.  The middle of the night may the only time your soul and mind are still enough to hear His voice; but, I will assure you as you seek to know Him more–He will answer.

Element #2:  Believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  Do you know His promises to all who believe in Christ as their Savior?  Do you believe Romans 8:28-30? Read this very carefully, "28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."   All things, not just the things that look beneficial, not just the easy things, not just the glory filled moments; but, rather all things work together for good.  That means even what you may think is a valley, God means for good.  Only He knows how all the parts when woven together will help you to look like His son, justified, purified, and glorious.  He knows what is needed to transform your self-exalting, covetous heart into one that can be filled with overflowing Joy, Hope, and Love that is found only in Him.  Nothing comes into the life of a believer but that which God has allowed to help purify them so that they are a vessel that can receive His magnificence.  You do not know Joy until you have fully realized His Joy.  Do you believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him?  Are you seeking Him?  Don’t be an Eeyore here, "well, I knowww He does; but mayybee it wasn’t meant forrr mee?"  Perhaps I know that one because I use to be like that.  What a foolish, self-centered thought to believe that God’s grace applied to everyone except me as though there was something uniquely different in how God looked at me.  Oh, yes, God saw my sins and my failures which generally came out of a lack of faith; still, He patiently, gently has continued to His work of transformation in my life.  He has sifted, polished, and purified my life (sometimes in-spite of me) so that I look more like Christ today than yesterday and I know He will finish the work He began in me.  He is the precious treasure that I seek. 

As you may have noticed in the previous blogs, recently I underwent one of those great aha moments (an epiphany of sorts) in which I suddenly felt as Abraham must have felt when Isaac was laid in his arms.  I saw God’s mighty hand perform and complete a promise made to me 33 years ago–what a leaping bound took place in my faith.  How could I ever doubt Him again no matter what the circumstances?  So, dear friend, if you are in one of those circumstances where God says wait; trust me, it will be worth every moment you have waited.  All of this I have written to those who know Christ as their Savior; but if you do not know Him, don’t you want to?  He loves you, Christ died for you, and He desires to have a relationship with you–today, this hour, this moment–won’t you ask Him into your heart?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOm2mMusqUw (Preview)

How can we find our way along this journey of life?  How do we learn to hear His voice clearly that we might know that voice distinctly so that we might always follow?  Has He not become the only treasure that I seek?  As I have journeyed through this life, I have come to realize that He is my heart’s desire.  All the other stuff that I thought were things I desired have become nothing compared to Him.  I so want to follow Him and only go where He says go, not running ahead nor lagging behind; but how can I be certain?  How can you be certain it is His voice?  David desired to follow God, he loved God, so let’s look at David’s prayer in Psalm 119. 

Psalm 119: Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

He had learned that God was his greatest treasure and desire whom he sought with all his heart.  Also, he knew that the joy of his salvation could be tainted by sin, so he desired to follow God’s commands diligently.  To do so, he knew of the importance of studying God’s word.  Yet there were three more petitions which he made of God, knowing that these were paramount to his walk with God. 

Petition #1   Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law….

He asked that God open his eyes (I daresay he was referring to the eyes of his heart) to behold the wondrous things of the law.  Unless we clearly see God’s glory and righteousness, we do not understand the depth of depravity that sin holds upon us. We do not understand our need, unless God opens the eyes of our heart to see Him.  Neither can we understand the depth of joy found in our relationship to Him and may think ourselves content with our counterfeit joys instead. 

Petition #2 Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works…

73  give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments….

David also asked for wisdom to discern God’s voice and to understand the scripture.  He needed his eyes to see and his brain to understand God’s ways.  God has promised wisdom to those who ask.  Have you asked today?  Are you diligently studying his word?  Are you steadfast in prayer?

Petition #3 Psalm 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed….

The third petition is to keep our emotions sound, firmly grounded in God’s statutes.  We sometimes let our emotions float from one extreme to another and need God’s comforting arms to steady us when trials and storms pass through our lives.  This even more so when we find ourselves tired or facing some tragedy.  Do not follow emotions particularly when too hungry, too angry, too lonely or too tired–ask God to steady your emotions and wait patiently for His answer once your emotions have settled down. 

So, these three petitions are essential and should be included in our prayers.  God, open my eyes that I might see you clearly. Give me wisdom that I might discern your word with clarity.  And steady my emotions that I might find my rest and comfort in You.  God will hear your plea and will unfold His magnificent plan for your life which will lead to Joy, Hope, and Peace that is ever overflowing from His Love. 

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

When God asks us to do or to perform a task for Him, we look around us and see so many mountains that stand in the way.  For example if He asks that we move or He asks that we change our career or we give above our tithe to a ministry and we see so many obstacles that are in our way.  Ten years ago, God asked that I leave my job in Missouri to move to Florida.  Financially, it would appear foolish to the world.  I had to leave behind everything familiar.  My children were grown; but were staying in Missouri.  Tears streaming down my face, I packed and drove my truck to Florida.  I have learned so many valuable lessons here, published my books, and started my blog.  So many people I have met who have influenced my life and some that God has used me to touch their life as well.  One son had followed me, met and married his wife.  Now there are my two beautiful grandsons.  Now once more I hear God’s whispering voice calling me to a new task for Him.  The mountains standing in the way seem to be insurmountable; yet, I will begin the steps and I will declare, "Here I am, send me wherever you desire."  So, I began by listing for God the mountains that I see before me; then, at 2 am I was awoke with this verse resounding in my head.  God will remove the mountains.  I will listen closely each step of the way and I will not rush ahead nor tarry behind–His timing, His Way, and His command.

Matthew 17: If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

So if you have heard God call you to change or to follow a new path; let me suggest these steps toward your destiny.

1.  When you have clearly heard God speak, just say; "Yes, Lord, Here I am."

2.  List the mountains, lay them at the throne of Grace, leave them there, and know that they are now in the hands of God to remove.  No fretting, no worries allowed.  When doubt and worry try to enter, tell Satan to take a hike.

3.  Patiently await God’s unfolding of the plan–do not rush ahead.

4.  Continue to study the Word of God

5.  Continue in prayer–Conversation with the Father is important toward understanding and wisdom in completing the tasks before you.

6.  Never lose sight of the fact that our relationship with God is our greatest treasure.

7.  Continue seeking and savoring Christ, every step of the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TpR2O5Z8rg (Preview)

So often when we ask God for things or when the journey seems to be filled with perils or God’s command seems to be one we cannot understand; we have moments of doubt.  Yet, what a wise and patient God we have.  He knows that the key to our joy and fountain of hope can only be found through faith in Him.  It is only as we learn to see Him as Glorious and as our provider of all good things, can our faith hold firm.  This was the case with Abraham.  When we review the account of Abraham’s greatest act of faith in which He trusted God to either raise Isaac from the dead or to provide the sacrifice and marched forward to fulfill God’s command, fearlessly filled with hope and faith; we stand amazed and wonder how could anyone’s faith be that strong.  Once more read these accounts.

Hebrews 11: 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Genesis 22: 1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

So how was it that Abraham’s faith was so strong?  Had it always been?  If you read the accounts of Abraham’s journey, you will see that Abraham obeyed God; yet, there were some grave moments in which fear or doubt had played a row in his life.  He had wondered why God waited so long before Isaac was born.  Ahhh, but that is the miracle.  God waited patiently to fulfill the promise until it was impossible to be done (as Sarah was beyond the age of child bearing) so that the miracle and the Glory was of God.  When Isaac was laid into Abraham’s arms there was no doubt left in Abraham’s mind but that God was always faithful in fulfilling His promises and thus great faith was born.  Then Abraham knew whom He served and thus was without doubt ever again.

Genesis 21: 21 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

For me, these past two weeks was that kind of moment.  I felt like Abraham must have felt when Isaac was placed in His arms and the flood of emotions, the overwhelming joy, and the realization of how Gloriously God loves me–to keep and fulfill His promises.  No fear or doubt could remain in my heart. 

Is there some promise that God has whispered to you a long time ago that you are wondering if He will complete it?  These are the steps that will help you while you are waiting.

1.  Study the old testament.  As you read through the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Daniel, David, and many more; you will find that God recorded every detail to help us understand that God always fulfills His promises and that God many times waits so that faith grows.

2.  Pray without ceasing.  Now by that I don’t mean that fretful, waling type of prayer.  There are moments for those; but, they should not be the ceaseless prayer I refer to.  Instead, ask for patience, wisdom, and faith to understand more of who God is.

3.  Seek to know God and to see His Glory in every detail that passes through your life.  While waiting for the big promise to be fulfilled, notice all the little promises being fulfilled daily in your life and write them down. 

4.  Praise Him for who He is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh65wLVbaww (Preview)

This past two weeks I have spent with my family in Missouri.  That would of it’s own have been magical as I watched my son marry his princess and best friend; yet, I cannot fully tell you of the tremendous joy of watching God fulfill a promise made so long ago.  Many years ago, as a young woman I sometimes wondered of God’s love for me.  It seemed that no matter how much I loved Him, I just kept stumbling.  More than anything, I wanted to hear His voice and to follow that command.  There then had come a command that I could not fully understand; still, I chose to follow–much like Abraham when God told Him to leave everything to go on a journey through the wilderness to find a land that God had promised.  There were great sorrows and pitfalls along this journey that God had asked me to follow.  I had told God many times that were it only I, following it would be easier; but how was I to protect my dear children through this perilous path He had chosen.  Every time I asked, His promises came in a strong, firm voice; "I, God, will protect your children and will show them favor.  I will bless them with faith, hope, and joy.  All I need for you to do is trust me and obey my command in this matter."  

Hebrews 11:

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

I wish that I could say that my faith was always strong enough as to never doubt; yet, the doubting always lead to prayer.  Many tears have I shed as I watched seemingly helpless at times at the sorrows my children faced because I had chosen to obey God’s command.  At times I wondered if my own failures would be their demise; maybe, I didn’t understand what God wanted.  Maybe I was a fool.  Then in these last two weeks, I watched as my dear daughter, Melissa, interacted with her daughter and husband; and, I knew that God had kept His promise in her life.  Four year old Natalie talked to me last night about how much God loves her, my heart leaped for joy. She is such a beautiful, gentle child.  Ron, always has an inner calm and wisdom that goes beyond a normal human–while his faith remains steady and firm.  He has a beautiful wife, who demonstrates her love and devotion every day in addition to his beautiful children.  His son is extremely gifted and daughter is a delightful joy.  God had kept His promise in the life of Ron.  Then, Saturday, I watched as Alberto married his best friend and princess.  The entire ceremony was one based on their faith and devotion to God and each other.  It was like a fairy tale wedding and love story that couldn’t have been matched by any of those that Hollywood could pretend to create.   Once more, I knew that God had fulfilled His promise to me.  I remembered my little children, how noble and innocent they were and how proud I have always been of each and everyone of them.  They have flourished into nobility beyond my wildest dreams and hopes; because God always keeps His promises by His strength and His power.  Faith is never dependent on me or even my abilities, it depends on Him.  Hallelujah to the God of Heaven and Earth.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HSYxDTWUVw