Effie Darlene Barba ⋆ Page 333 of 377 ⋆ Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments

Jesus, Magnificent Savior

Hebrews 10: ⁹Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

¹⁰By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus willingly left His Throne in Heaven where He was surrounded by love, joy, and comfort to come to this earth and suffer that He might be the Great High Priest offering once and for all the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind’s sin. Because of His sacrifice on my behalf, my sinful soul has been set free. Because of the sinless Savior’s Sacrifice, the Just and Righteous God can look upon the payment of my sin and then pardon me. This gift is offered to all who would believe and accept this gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In the days before Christ’s coming, faith looked forward to His coming and was demonstrated by the sacrificial offering of a lamb without blemish. As is noted when Paul is comparing the salvation of Abraham through faith (not works) and that of ours.

Romans 4:

²⁰He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

²¹And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

²²And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

²³Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

²⁴But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Any of us know that have studied the Bible, that Abraham did not gain Salvation because of his own works; but because of faith in God righteousness was imputed to him. In other words, God received the faith of Abraham and declared Abraham as righteous–covering all the sins of Abraham with the future sacrifice that Christ would pay. Even Abraham’s faith was grown up by God over a lifetime. Since our salvation is by faith and not by works; then why should I even bother to fight against sin in my life? If I have been declared righteous, then why not just go about my life in whatever manner I please? If I do not desire to lay down my life into His for Him to do as He will with my life; then, do I really understand the sacrifice He gave, the Glory of who He is, nor the depth of love it took for Him to die for me. That kind of love woos me to love Him above and beyond anything I could desire on this earth. Paul throughout Romans is pleading just this case and point; that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, we who are saved, must not look lightly upon the ongoing sin in our life. If we do so then we do not understand salvation; nor do we appreciate the sacrifice of Christ. If we understand His love, we willingly fall before Him in praise.

Romans 6:

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

²God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Titus 2: ¹¹For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

When you think of Jesus, do you see His Magnificence? Is there anything or anyone that you desire more than Him? Do you desire to walk in the righteousness that He has given to all who accept Him as their Savior?

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

Just to let all of you know. Sunday at one pm EST, you may hear my radio interview at http://toginet.com/

Where Feet May Fail

Mark 16: ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

We are commanded to go into all the world and to preach the gospel. For many the world they are to teach are those in their immediate circle–family, friends, and co-workers. Some are to go as missionaries to foreign lands. Some are to teach in local churches. Others are preachers to lead the churches forward. Where is God calling you? Over the years I was called at times to teach only those who are in my immediate circle. For a time I was called to go into the jail to teach. Then, I was called to write the books I have written. With some fear and trepidation regarding my own inadequacies, I did as I was asked. Then I was asked to write this email and post the daily blogs to a website which is now being viewed worldwide. So often, I have awoke and prayed, "God, please give me some word for today. Take my life and search out, destroy the sins of this covetous heart that my testimony of you stand to show your Glory." Often, Satan presses in with words of discouragement and doubt because of my imperfections and inadequacies; but, God has been my power and strength as I must always keep my focus on Him. Today, I have a radio interview–so once more I am being asked to step out of a comfort zone. My desire is to lay aside all of who I am so that God might be glorified and God speak. I remember when God had told Moses to go and speak.

Exodus 4: ¹⁰And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

¹²Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

So, Lord be my mouth and teach me what to say. As I am called to step out into the water. The raging waters that surround me desire to pull my focus from you, so Lord let me be reminded to keep my focus upon You that I may walk on this water in Your strength and Your Voice; then let Your word go out to whomever you desire, that Your work be performed in their life.

Matthew 14: ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

³²And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

So dear friends, take a moment today and say a prayer for me today. Listen to this beautiful song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong.

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my saviour.I will call upon your name

Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in your embrace
I am yours and you are mine"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8mZpGj29qw

Abound in Hope, Exceeding Joy

Romans 15: ¹³Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Where does hope come from? We look around us and see very little hope. We search for some anchor to hold onto. Perhaps the man who diligently worked and saved so that he could enjoy his retirement; only to learn that he had advanced metastatic cancer and only 3 months to live. What happened to the anchor that he had tightly placed his hope? Or, the market failed and all his retirement funds were gone in one mighty sweep. Again, what happened to the anchor of his hope? What about the woman who hopes so in the love of her husband and he comes home to say that he is leaving her and the children to marry someone else. The anchor on which she placed her hope once more failed and she is left crushed, broken-hearted. The man who places his hope in his own ability and strength to accomplish whatever he wants; suddenly is found jobless and even homeless when his company fails. So where is the only hope to which we can cling? God. The God of hope with all of His covenant promises toward us stands firm that He will accomplish all of His will toward you.

Isaiah 55:

¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

¹²For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

God is the only source of hope and can fill your heart with joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells you causing you to be filled with hope in grace for today and in God’s future sustaining Grace for tomorrow all the way through eternity. That hope then breeds more faith which overflows with joy and peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KvwhWDPjk&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Forsaking All Else, Diligently Seek Virtue, Wisdom, and Kindness

2 Peter 1: 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Peter is speaking to those who have obtained like precious faith through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Through His power we are given all that we need- He has provided His righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness, through the power of Christ who hath redeemed us. Does that mean that we need not ever again think about our relationship with him? No, we must be diligent to continue to learn more of Him by studying His word, by growing in our faith, by diligently seeking virtue in our lives, learning patience and kindness and love toward each other and mankind. I for one do not want to forget the great love and grace that God has shown me. If I ever keep these in remembrance then I will also desire to be fruitful and grow as a Christian; never being satisfied with the status quo of my own life and always reaching, studying, seeking to be more like Christ. Don’t ever forget what He has already done for you and don’t ever lose your passion to follow after Him. Diligently follow after that which you have found in Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLJJ1GSNCSDZHMCQ7ZDTVJSRCBVJPD9IC9&NR=1&v=AgOpycgihsY&feature=endscreen

Forsaking all Else, Diligently seek Virtue, Knowledge, and Kindness