Effie Darlene Barba

Romans 12: ¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Do you have hope that is founded in all the covenant promises of God.  Hope that causes you to rejoice and remain patient through any trial and any tribulation that might occur.  This is a hope founded on knowing "that all things work together for good to those who love God" Romans 8:28.   Studying God’s words we gain a deeper knowledge of who He is.  We learn of all the covenant promises He has so richly blessed us with.  We become content and find that our greatest treasure and joy is found just sitting in His presence.  For that reason we continue instant in prayer; always talking with Him throughout our day and not just for five minutes before we go to bed.  Hope is cherishing a desire with anticipation or to desire with expectation of attainment.  God is Hope, Love, and Joy.  The power to overcome and walk through any circumstance of this earth, rejoicing in Hope is only one prayer away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-iiyToJNGk

I Samuel 12: ²⁴ You must honor the Lord and truly serve him with all your heart.  (New Century Version (NCV)

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

If you would like to know more about VA loans I think you will find this helpful. On the right hand side you will also find a link to Alberto’s website.  You will find that Alberto Barba is a devote Christian who honors God in all that he does and will treat you with integrity, helping you through the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldvuhKU74PY

 

 

If you are interested in incredible artwork, I recommend Ronald Barba.  Check out this

Ronald recently posted:  “Just a reminder, I can do commissions as well. Don’t have a ton of time, but I need to start doing more artwork. My main medium is digital, though I can break out the hand crafted stuff if the price is right. Don’t be afraid to ask, all it takes is one message :)”

You may also contact me for more information regarding either how to reach Alberto or Ronald.  My e-mail is effiedarlene@myglorytoglory.com; effiedarlene@google.com;  or mail me at EFFIE DARLENE BARBA PO BOX 182058 CASSELBERRY, FL 32718

I John 5: 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.⁸ And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

How do you know for certain that your relationship with God is real?  When you have failed God with a life that seems to scream back to you of each and every sin; how can you know that your salvation was real?  When Satan whispers words of doubt; how do you know for a certainty that we are saved?  John refers to the three witnesses in heaven and three on earth that not only bear witness of Christ’s all sufficiency in providing salvation; but also prove that He is the only means of salvation.  Beyond that, John is reporting the proof on which each believer may stand.

1. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, The only begotten Son of God, who is the word of God made flesh; and truly God ?

    Look at verse 7 where John refers to the fact that "the Father, the Word (Christ-go back to John chapter 1); and the Holy Ghost are three; yet one. 

2.  Do you love Christ?  Do you see Him as your greatest treasure?  If God had not ever offered Salvation and God never gave you anything in return for your praise; would you still see Him as worthy of your praise, adoration, and worship anyway?  In other words, do you love Him for who He is and not for what you might gain by following Him?

3.  Look at verse 6 where John refers to the Witness of the Spirit to us that Christ that Christ was born not merely as a man (born of water); but that He was  God–He carried the Blood of His Father.  He was the only man who also was God.  Look back at what Christ has said in John 3 when trying to explain salvation and the term "to be born again" to Nicodemus "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."  He was referring to the water birth as the birth of the flesh, floating in a sea of amniotic fluid.

4.  I must agree that at first Verse 8 was a mystery to me as to how to explain it.  I was not satisfied with what some referred to as Christ’s water baptism, followed by Christ’s death through the shedding of blood.  Somehow for me, there must have been something else, as that explanation did not seem to fit the whole of the verse.  So I began a massive search and have concluded that perhaps there are two meanings that might apply here; so bear with me.  The most simplistic would be to say that the life of Christ (the water), the death of Christ (the blood) and the witness of the Holy Spirit are the testimonies on earth; but then why in verse 9 separate these into the categories of the witness of men and the witness of God?  So if he is referring to the Witness of Men, what could he possibly mean?  and How does this help us to understand or grasp a hold of our own security in Christ?  I do believe that I found some help in this when I read the commentaries in the Geneva Study Bible which were as follows:

"{8} This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; {9} not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the {g}Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

(8) He proves the excellency of Christ, in whom only all things are given us by six witnesses, three heavenly, and three earthly, who wholly and completely agree together. The heavenly witnesses are, the Father who sent the Son, the Word itself, which became flesh, and the Holy Spirit. The earthly witnesses are water, (that is our sanctification) blood, (that is, our justification) the Spirit, (that is, acknowledging of God the Father in Christ by faith) through the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

(9) He warns us not to separate water from blood (that is sanctification from justification, or righteousness, begun from righteousness imputed) for we do not stand on sanctification, but so far as it is a witness of Christ’s righteousness imputed to us: and although this imputation of Christ’s righteousness is never separated from sanctification, yet it is the only matter of our salvation.

(g) Our spirit which is the third witness, testifies that the holy Sprit is truth, that is to say, that that is true which he tells us, that is, that we are the sons of God."

Let me try to simply this thought.  We know that we are the children of God through the Spirit of God communing with our spirit.  "¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" Romans 8:16.  Secondly, we have been justified before our righteous Creator and God through the blood of Christ.  Thirdly, we have witness of that by the ongoing cleansing and sanctification of the water.  I may not have yet attained the perfect demonstration of my imputed righteousness; but the cleansing through His word and His work in me to sift out all the chaff remains an ongoing work which I can see as proof that I am His Child.

So, my final question to you is:  Do you know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that you are a Child of God; bought by the precious blood of Christ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60&feature=related



Hebrews 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.

⁴ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

⁵ By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

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.

⁷ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

⁹ By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

¹² Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

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.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

²⁸ Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It is easy to tell others to have faith when they are going through some trial; but, what about those moments when the whispering lies of doubt cloud into our minds?  What about those times when God says, wait and the years keep rolling by without the answer coming?  What about the times when your job is gone and endless nights of prayer result still in no job coming?  What about those missionaries in some land where they are tortured with no relief in sight?  Do we only believe God when His answer comes quickly and we get what we want? Or do we trust Him still when our whole world is falling apart; believing that His plan for us is good–regardless of the momentary circumstances which look desperately hopeless?  What about those moments in which our faith fails us and we feel that our heart has fallen into some pit of despair.  Does God desert us there?  Take another glance at this wondrous faith hall of fame.  What is accounted here are those moments of great faith of those listed.  Yet, if you read the scriptures these great men and women of faith also had there moments and seasons of doubt.  Abraham, for fear told the King Abimelech that his wife Sarah was his sister and even allowed Abimelech to take Sarah to wed until God intervened.  Abraham, believing that God would provide a son as he had promised decided to help God as Sarah became old with no child born.  So Abraham (wanting to help God keep His promise) took Sarah’s maid to wed and thus Ishmael was born.  God doesn’t walk away when our faith fails us; rather He gently guides us to the next step to where our faith continues to grow.  So, if you find yourself in a moment where your faith seems to fail you, pray.  Remember all the times in the past that God has carried you through a dark valley.  Remember, all the covenant promises which God has promised to you. (That means you need to read your Bible or you won’t know what those promises are).  Finally, always remember that this life–the entirety of it is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity in the presence of God.  So, if God were to choose that your life here is sacrifice, pain, and sorrow for the growth of the Kingdom or the salvation of one soul; keep on believing that God is in control and that His plan is one of love for you as He rejoices over you with singing, comforted in His love.  The ultimate, final end of this story of my life’s journey is not about me only–it is about Christ.  Whose eternity might be changed because of my seasons of pain or suffering as someone else watches on?  Can this selfish, covetous heart lay aside all other desire to march on step by step, "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."  Hebrews 12:2. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZnxkBNROBw



Ephesians 4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

There are some who would say for peace we must accept all beliefs as though they are truth; yet, Paul is very clear here that we must teach only the truth of the Gospel and not be persuaded to compromise truth for the sake of peace. Still, there is a great warning here as well that we are to do this with meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, and love in the same manner as Christ.  We are to live out the life of Christ in our bodies, spirits, and minds in such a manner as to draw others to the truth of the Gospel by means of kindness and gentleness of heart and voice.  Bickering among the Christians, gossiping and fighting are not the manner in which we reach out to a world in need of a Savior.  We must remember that God’s grace and mercy is what saved us.  I have nothing good within me that would have caused Christ to choose me.  If there is anything good that I have ever done, it has been when I cast aside my selfish, covetous heart to allow Christ to reign through me.  In this, I am ashamed to say; many times I have failed and I must be reminded that if I am to be an effectual teacher of Christ’s love, I must each morning go to Him to ask that He give me the grace I need for today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGJ2_Wy78c