Effie Darlene Barba

In ministry, do you ever grow weary and wonder if anything that you are doing for Christ is making a difference?  Perhaps you are working in a jail ministry and even though many are presenting an appearance of sincerity while in the meetings and yet, they leave and toss their Bible in the trashcan as they leave the jail.  The next time you see them is the next time they are back in jail.  Or, perhaps like I, you get up and write a message and post it; only to wonder if anyone ever reads it and if so, does it make a difference in the life of anyone.  Or, perhaps you have taken on the task of helping a homeless family in the name of Christ; yet, the more you help-the more they want and they won’t even consider the option of trying to work.  In fact, maybe they have even stolen from you instead?  Your heart was right, you wanted to bring God Glory and point them to Christ; yet, now you hesitate and wonder if you should try again?  Your financial resources have run thin and then you wonder, "How did I get it so wrong? Or did I?"

It would appear that a similar dilemma had presented itself in the early Thessalonian Church.  There would appear that some had joined the church to be fed by the church while at the same time going about performing disruptive behaviors and being busybodies.  The church needed to know what to do.  So what were the steps that Paul outlined for the Church to help them in this dilemma of presenting grace without becoming the target of misuse by others?

2 Thessalonians 3: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Step #1:   Pray that the word of the Lord might go forth to fulfill God’s purpose and that God might be glorified. Prayer is your first weapon and the Bible your word of truth to protect you.

Step #2:  Remember that evil does surround you; but God is faithful to keep you from evil.

Step #3:  Patiently awaiting the return of Christ.  Always keep your heart focused upon the fact that this entire life is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity.  Like some of you joggers, always press forward to get to the end of the next block, then the next block until you have completed the course.

Step #4:  Separate yourself from those who only create havoc.  Ok this is where it gets touchy.  Lets say you reach out to help someone in need (which as a Christian you should).  But do them a favor and ask they do some type of work in return for your generosity and grace.  If they continuously have excuses and demonstrate no gratefulness you may have to walk away; not in anger or frustration, but gently say no. Then through prayer and faith, trust God to lead your heart as to when to leave and when to continue to help.  There may be times when He does say stay; but let God be the guide.  After all, only He knows the outcome.

Step #5:  Do not grow weary in well doing.  Remember that your labor is a labor for God and God only.  You may never see the fruits of that labor here on earth; but, if all that you do is done for Christ, one day when you stand before Him you will see the fruits magnified as you lay them at His feet.  So, keep writing, keep teaching, and keep allowing Christ to live through you.  Only God knows how He can use your labors to His Glory.

Step #6:  Let God’s peace fill your heart through faith alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0c7nWGheQk

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian will not face many trials while journeying here below; but our promise is that we have a fortress where we may hide under the shadow of His wings.  His word, his truth will be our shield and our buckler from all the fiery darts that might come our way.  Could there be any safer place than to be protected by the Creator of the Universe who reigns sovereign over all the affairs of men? 

Psalm 91: 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday….

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

CS Lewis on pain has written.

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. A bad man, happy, is a man without the least inkling that his actions do not "answer", that they are not in accord with the laws of the universe . . . 
Until the evil man find evil unmistakable present in his existence, in the form of pain, he is enclosed in illusion . . . 
No doubt Pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument: it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul."

So who’s fortress are you resting and dwelling in today?  Is it the fortress of the rebel who runs from God, angry when trials come or do you trust God’s Sovereign Hand in your darkest hours, knowing His plan is best and thus hide yourself in Him and in His word of truth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY4DCG-nFBI

So often, we look to God and want the answers now.  We seem to want to believe that our promised land is here on this earth; yet, our promised land is not complete until we are standing face to face with God.  Our hope then lies within the promises of God.  This journey will be laden with difficulties by the sheer nature that we have not yet reached our final destination.  Yet, even within the desert times of our lives; He is our provider and our guide.

Our hearts are tested in many ways that we might be humbled; knowing that our sustenance comes from God alone and that our Joy is based on our relationship with Him–not on all the counterfeit joys that we pursue.  Our hearts are proven as to whether we are truly seeking Him while walking through the desert days of our lives.  Do I trust Him?  That is the question that must be answered.  Am I seeking only the gifts or am I seeking the giver?  Another question that can only be answered during the valley days.  The Nation of Israel had come to the promised land; yet, their lack of faith which created fear had caused them to once more be left to wander in the wilderness for another forty years until the generation who had murmured and feared were all buried and the new generation had grown up to trust in God’s Providence and God’s promises.  Now they stood on the brink of entering their promised land and Moses stood to warn them. 

Deuteronomy 8: 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live…..

10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, ….

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

What if our whole life is a desert, would I trust Him?  Am I seeking the gift or the giver?  He who gave everything at the cross so that I might have a relationship with Him; why would I not see that relationship as the most valuable treasure?  Why would I not hold His love letters tight to my chest, cherishing them and longing to read them over and over?  What could be so important that I would not run to Him, just to sit at His feet a little while?  God knows what is best for me and what is needed so that I might gain the greatest Joy, which is only found in Him. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzcmM-JpN5c

How quickly when things are going along well do we become complacent.  I am tired so tonight instead of reading my Bible, I will just watch TV while falling asleep.  We find ourselves laughing at things which were we to think seriously about are really an offence to the name of Christ.  Or we may hear some giving advice on how to live  and think "that sounds good"; but is it? We are admonished to study the Word so that we might discern truth.  Are you? 

2 Corinthians 11:  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ…. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Our only defense against the lies of Satan is the Sword of the Word.  When we fail to continue in discipline of studying His word and spending time with God in prayer, we allow false doctrine to enter our minds and begin to grow. 

Hebrews 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin…..

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

So, dear Child of God; set aside some time each day to study His word so that you not allow Satan to enter in through false doctrines being whispered into your mind.

"how content the devil is if he can but nibble at a man’s heart. It does not matter about swallowing it whole; only let him nibble and he will be content. Let him but bite at the fag ends and be satisfied, for he is wise enough to know that if a serpent has but an inch of bare flesh to sting, he will poison the whole. When Satan cannot get a great sin in he will let a little one in, like the thief who goes and finds shutters all coated with iron and bolted inside. At last he sees a little window in a chamber. He cannot get in, so he puts a little boy in, that he may go round and open the back door. So the devil has always his little sins to carry about with him to go and open back doors for him, and we let one in and say, “O, it is only a little one.” Yes, but how that little one becomes the ruin of the entire man! Let us take care that the devil does not get a foothold, for if he gets but a foothold, he will get his whole body in and we shall be overcome."  Charles Spurgeon  Sermon #322 (Preached April 22, 1860)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9k3LBgXK_4

Perhaps you have noticed that sometimes I miss sending you the messages on some Thursdays and Fridays.  The reason is that on those days I have the grand opportunity to spend with 2 of my grandchildren. What a blessing and also what a wonderful opportunity to tell my grandchildren about God.  Teaching a young child about God’s love does mean living out my faith in front of them, demonstrating to them patience and kindness, showing them how important they are.  When I am with my grandchildren, the remainder of the world stops and they become the only thing important.  This is something a grandparent can do; because you can ascertain that all the other duties are done on the days they are at home with their parents and that makes you free to ignore the phone (or in my case, I just let Aiden answer it for me)  The conversation goes much like.  "Hello.  Who is this? I love you.  Goodbye."  My house is now filled with a cardboard house that is being colored, a large slide, playpens, swings, toys, and a bouncing toy.  What better decoration could I have.  We pray, "heavenly Father and then proceed to just talk to God."  There are apps on my cell phone that help to teach God. And we watch ABCs songs on Youtube, or other songs that teach about God’s love like the ones I have placed below.  Haley is just 5 months while Aiden is 2 years old; so they keep me busy.  I am generally warn out when they do go home; but what a wonderful way to be tired.  The joy of a little voice excitingly welcoming you as “Grammy” is worth so much.

Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 17: 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;

Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

God has promised that He will shine forth His mercy upon my Grandchildren as I reverently follow Him, Obey Him, and rest upon His promise of future grace that extends to my grandchildren.  What an amazing God He is.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=31E7upBmKYY&feature=endscreen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R-AI4AvwiU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpYgYoNGM38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owx3ao42kwI