Effie Darlene Barba

John 16: ³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Christ was telling the disciples what was to come.  He did not say, there will not be any tribulations.  He did not say that sorrow would not be a major part of the Christians life.  Indeed trials come from every side; perhaps even greater to the Christian.  Christians are not exempt from illness, financial disaster, loss of love ones, burgleries, devastating accidents, sorrow, broken-heartedness, nor great suffering.  Nor are we exempt from moments of great doubt and fear.  Even John the Baptist, whom Christ referred to as the greatest prophet; doubted for a moment.  Luke 7 records, "¹⁹ And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Christ responded and told the men to go and tell John the Baptist of all that He had done and the miracles He performed.  Yet, ,despite that moment of doubt; John stood firm and uncompromising "²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison"  Did John stand firm believing that Christ was going to perform such a miracle on His behalf; no, he stood firm because he knew that knowing Christ was enough.  Joy, Hope, Peace, and Eternity  were found in Christ and the pain, suffering of this world (though they endure a lifetime) were but a fleeting moment compared to eternity.  Much like Paul who suffered imprisonment, beatings, lonely moments, and moments of great despair: explains that as the children of God we will suffer as Christ suffered.  Romans 8 "¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."   No, where does it say that Christians will not suffer?  Yet, there is a difference in how we view and see that suffering.  When we focus on Christ and all that He has done for us, we can find peace, hope, and deep seated joy even in the midst of great sorrow.  We can view the trials as opportunities to grow even closer to God our only source of love, joy, and hope.  There is another point.  The world watching on will notice as the Christian walks through each trial not as one weighted down by the trial; but as one who calmly, assuredly marching forward with the hope of God’s future Grace filling the fountain of joy to overflowing–no matter how harsh the trial may seem.  Our strength, our hope, our joy, our pleasure, our peace, are all anchored upon this one thing–Jesus Christ’s covenant love for us. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIP_bKxjLs

Romans 8:

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.

We Know–there is no question, no doubt, no if we try more.  We know that ALL things work together for good.  Does that include the pains, the sorrows, the trials, the irritations, the illnesses, the financial disasters, the messes that we got ourselves into, the failures we perpetrated–can God use all this to work together for Good?  Of course, He can–though at the moment you may not understand or see what the purpose is.  God knows that the only place of true peace, true joy, and genuine love can be found in a close, intimate relationship with God.  We were created for such a relationship and cannot be content with all the counterfeit joys that chase after.  Sometimes God allows the counterfeit joys to be ripped from our grasp–that we might find true joy.  So, yes, all things work together for the good to them that love God.  He knew from eternity past who would love Him, seek Him and accept the gift of salvation offered by Christ on the Cross.  He predestined each one who would accept Christ as their Savior to be conformed to the image of Christ.  It may require a lot of sifting out of chaff and a lot of purifying by fire; but, if you know Christ as your Savior–you will one day look like Christ and stand before God’s throne one day fully justified and fully glorified (wrapped in the love, joy and glory that is Christ’s).  On that truth we base our hope.

Romans 8: ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IzF-ABrL_4

Romans 5: ¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

²By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Our ability to Stand Firm is based wholly upon Grace.  By that I do not wish you to imagine something soft and fragile; but rather this comes with the Mighty Power of A God who spoke the Galaxies into being with one breath.  Grace reigns through Jesus with Power, Authority and Dominion over the entire Universe.  That is the power that makes you stand and keeps you standing, and stand you will even in your weakest moments because God Himself is holding you there.  Romans 14: “⁴Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

            Because of all of this, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Would there be any reason left not to be joyous.  He saved me, He sealed me and He will finish the work of transforming me into the image of Christ.  I must rejoice in the hope that I will look like Christ.  Maybe not today, but I will one day look like Him in all His Glory.  That hope should be enough to keep me rejoicing through whatever trial or tribulation may come my way; knowing that God is working out my perfecting and He only has my best interest at heart.  Our faith which is anchored in Jesus Christ is not only for what He has already done but that this Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient Savior is steady about the work of imparting His Glory to me.  I see glimpses of that Glory, little changes and transformations that are forever presenting themselves in me.  I, like Paul, have not yet obtained it; yet, I look more like Him today than I did 10 years ago or 20 years ago.  He will complete the work He started in me by His power and might, Hallelujah, Amen. Our Faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  His promises remain steady and sure; therefore, our faith is not grounded and supported by yesterday only; but sustained through today and creates steady hoping for tomorrow, joyfully awaiting the grace that will come in the future.  Knowing this stabilizes us and removes that rollercoaster from our Christian Walk.

The Grace in Which I Stand

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.

• Excerpts from "A Broken and Contrite Heart" by Effie Darlene Barba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK_dwXcK86E

 

Ephesians 6: ² Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

³ That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

⁴ And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

⁵ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

At the beginning we may look at these commands and say, ok–not so hard.  Actually without the grace of God, these are impossible to perform.  Can I be honest here and tell you that each morning when I awaken, I remain there in prayer asking God for the Grace to set about the day and to perform the tasks before me with His Truth, His patience, and His Love to guide me for the day.  Once I feel His peace fill me I get up.  Mom’s TV is constantly going with foolish programs and while the coffee is making, I am asked at least three times if it is ready yet.  I take the dog out for his short walk, serve mom her coffee while she is eating cereal.  Then I have her turn off the TV while I listen to sermons while preparing her lunch.  In the midst of the cooking, I hear "I am hungry, will you cook me some eggs."  I reply, "Yes, once I have your lunch in the oven–I will."  Not two minutes pass until I hear again, "I am hungry, aren’t you going to fix me breakfast."  Irritation rising in my voice, I reply, "Please be patient, let me finish getting lunch in the oven so it can be done."  Again, "but I am hungry."  Eggs cooked, sermons half heard and I know I will listen again on the way to work or tonight because I allowed this irritation to get in the way of hearing.  I sit down to write you this mornings devotion and then I wonder, "How Lord can I serve you when I still let such trivial things irritate me?"  I should be kinder.  I should be gentler.  Of course, then the TV is back on and I know if I don’t say yes, once more I will be asked every three minutes, "Can I turn on the TV?"  So, I pull out the earphones and plug them into the computer to listen to music searching for Grace to fill my heart to find God’s words to share with you.  This service, God has called me to do; not because I am worthy, but because He is worthy.  I know that the challenges at work will soon be before me today and once more I will need His grace to give me the heart of a servant, laying aside the selfishness and pride that are deep inside this heart of mine so that I might do the service in a manner that displays His Grace.  Do you need added Grace today?  Listen closely to the following song and let each word penetrate deep within your spirit.  Lift it up before God as a prayer?  This is titled, Before you I kneel (A Worker’s Prayer).  The second verse, I particularly cling to.  I really need God’s goodness to cover my hands and His patience, His peace to guide my steps.  I need His refining work to remove the selfishness and pride within me so that His work might be done.  Thank you Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Jeff Taylor, and Stuart Townend for this beautiful song.  Thank you God for your ever flowing Grace toward me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPVtx_HCpOo&playnext=1&list=PL7C2289D9F73CFDE0&feature=results_video

 

2 Corinthians 1: ³ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

This certainly does not say that Christians have fewer tribulations and suffering; but it does say that the God of all comfort is there to comfort us.  In fact, we may have more tribulations and suffering so that we might learn how to comfort others in their trials and that we might be better witnesses for the comforting power found in God.  Let me bring this closer to home.  I had a very aggressive form of breast cancer diagnosed in 1998, underwent a modified radical mastectomy followed by aggressive chemo therapy.  Late in 1999 I was then diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.  Mine was very aggressive and for the following year I was on high dose steroids and multiple other medications to no avail and in late 2000 had to have a total colectomy with pouch reconstruction.  I had all the worse effects of the high dose steroids still present (full beard, mustache, buffalo’s hump, muscle deterioration, and full cushinoid features.  The psychological affects of looking into a mirror and searching for myself, the financial devastation of those years, the pain and the physical fatigue seemed overwhelming.  My solace, my comfort, my hope, and my Joy (yes Joy) could only be found in clinging closely to God.  I studied my Bible every morning as the ulcerative colitis would awaken me with devastating pain at 3 or 4 every morning.  My next 4 hours would be spent in a recliner alone with God between the 15 minute runs to the bathroom for my colon to expel the massive blood clots.  Then I would go to work–afterall, I had to work and was greatful that my ulcerative colitis worse cycling would end about 8 so that I could go to work. This was a daily ritual for over a year and then the colectomy.  For 6 weeks following the colectomy, I had an ileostomy which was hard to fit with appliances and thus every morning at 3 am, my bag with break and leak all over me.  After a shower, I would sit all alone by worldly standards and try to replace a new one–sometimes taking 1-2 hours because my ileostomy was rather unruly and gave me no time to prep.  There I would sit, naked and cold with tears pouring down my face.  Suddenly I would feel the embracing power of God’s presence to help me through and let me know I was not alone.  Where was God?  He was right there with me.  Was this punishment for all my sins?  No, they were all covered and paid for on the cross.  Then why?  This was the perfect training ground for me.  How much more compassion and empathy can I have for my patients.   Who better to tell them that God loves them and wants to draw them closer to His side; because, His plan is built out of love and only He knows how to draw you closer to Him.  He knows that the only way you can have Perfect Joy, Hope, and Love is by having a close relationship with Him.  He wants you to have the experience of the Joy you can only find in Him.  To this day I cherish the early morning hours I spend with Him.  I still arise at 4 am to talk with Him.  Note–"as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."  So dear Christian friend, if you are suffering today; recognize that Christ is there to comfort you–He who bore so much suffering in your place–understands.  Thank Him for His presence and thank Him for the trials; because in the center of your greatest trial He is offering you His greatest gift–His Presence to strengthen, comfort, encourage, and fill you with His Joy, His Love.

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