Effie Darlene Barba

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

^{Psalm 139: 23} Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

How many of us would want to ask God to search every crevice of our heart and thoughts to see if there is any wickedness lurking there?  What about when that other car cut you off this morning? Or when you chose to buy a new TV, instead of giving to the church as God prompted you to do?  Or when you rushed out the front door without so much as saying "Good morning" to God?  Or when you grumbled about the financial state that the government is in; never acknowledging that God is still on His Throne?  Was this a moment of pride by David? Or not.  Look at the rest of Psalm 139: 

1.O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Ah, this was a David who knew that God already knew every crevice of his heart and every area of darkness that lurked there and had loved David even in the imperfection that he was.  He knew that God already had chosen him inspite of his sin and had formed him, loved him, and never left his side.  This was David asking God to search him, transform him and to remove every form of wickedness so that God might lead him ever forward into God’s righteousness.  This was David asking that God search and remove every piece of chaff, every evil desire or action that would bring shame to God’s Glorious Name. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAzSl-kJzOY

Isaiah 25: 1  O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Deuteronomy 7:⁹ Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

Hebrews 10:²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

³⁰ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

I Corinthians 1: 7 waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

⁸ Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 2: ¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

¹³ If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

God is faithful and true.  He maintains His covenant of mercy and grace to all who come to Him in love accepting the gift of salvation purchased through the death of His son.  For those who come to Him, believing that Christ is the Son of God who bore the penalty for sin so that unworthy mankind might be restored into a relationship with God; He is faithful to show Mercy and Grace that provides salvation today with ongoing, overflowing future grace that never lets go throughout the remainder of your lifetime.  He will confirm you to the end and His promise is to present you blameless on the final day of judgment.  His work of faithfulness to transform you, step by step into the likeness of His son will never fail.  Covered by Christ’s Righteousness and full payment of your sins; you stand forgiven before a Righteous God.  Yet, there is another point here.  God is faithful and true.  Those who refuse and deny Christ, who believe that they can come before God by any other means trample the name of Christ.  Those who call Christ a mere prophet have trodden upon the name of Christ, denying the power of Christ’s blood bought atonement; and thus reproach the Spirit of Grace provided and will stand in judgment.  If we believe not the name of Jesus, God can never deny His own Righteousness and His Demand for Justice; and the full fury and wrath of an Almighty God will be poured out upon those who deny the Gift of Salvation offered them by Christ’s sacrifice.  So, my question to you is: "Where do you stand with God?"  Have you come to Him, acknowledging your own unworthiness; believing that Jesus Christ is the Son who pay the penalty for your sin?  Do you see God’s Glory and Righteousness as something you so desire that you would lay aside all to follow Him? Do you see God as worthy of your praise, even if He gave you nothing in return?  Then, stop everything that you are doing to get on your knees now, this moment and ask Christ into your heart. 

Then, sing this song.  For Jesus Paid it All:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NntEuGCsWwM

 

Ephesians 1: ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

He knew me from before I was ever born.  Before creation, God knew me.  He knew every-time I would fail Him, every time I would doubt Him and still chose me to be His adopted Child.  He, according to the good pleasure of His will, predestined me to be His Child–to make me holy and without blame before Him in love by covering me with the sacrificial blood of Christ.  He then blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places with Christ.  This is the hope we who believe can hold tightly to when we are filled with self doubt and feel overwhelmed with our failures.  Christ carried out guilt and fears with Him to the cross in addition to our sins.  When we wallow in our own unworthiness, we open the door to sin having power over our lives.  It is always important that we take our focus off of ourselves and place that focus on the only one who has the power of victory over sin—Jesus Christ.  He is the one who can work through us when we Abide in Him, thus bringing the praise of His Glory. He reminds us that we are cleansed by the word.  Our salvation did not come from our struggling to become more.  We were not able to work our way into the vine of our own doing.  We had to be grafted into the vine by God.  It was not our labor that paid the price for our salvation.  We are cleansed by the Word, that Word being Christ Himself.  John 1: “¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ..¹²But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”   My Salvation, my justification did not come of my own works; so, how is it that I now want to produce fruit from my own works.   In order to rest in and abide in His Salvation, I must remember this.  The only part in my Salvation that came from me was my faith to believe that He is God who is worthy of all my praise and to be Glorified for all eternity.  Even that I could not have done had God not removed the veils from my eyes that I might glimpse at His Glory and desire it, seek it, cherish it as a treasure above all other treasures.

  William Cowper was a missionary preacher to the Indians who frequently fell into depression because he felt that he was so unworthy of God’s Grace.  Then one day he was reading Romans 3: "²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

William Cowper wrote to describe that moment as follows: "

Immediately I received the strength to believe it, and the full beams of the Sun of Righteousness shone upon me. I saw the sufficiency of the atonement He had made, my pardon sealed in His blood, and all the fullness and completeness of His justification. In a moment I believed, and received the gospel . . . Unless the Almighty arm had been under me, I think I should have died with gratitude and joy. My eyes filled with tears, and my voice choked with transport; I could only look up to heaven in silent fear, overwhelmed with love and wonder. (Gilbert Thomas, William Cowper and the Eighteenth Century, p. 132)"

So those of you who do not know Christ as your Savior?  Do you long to know Him?  Is there a small little voice or a clamoring noise calling you to Him?  Do you see God as desirable; but you want to clean up your life first?  I urge you to respond to that voice and come today, just as you are.  Don’t wait another day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRgjQwhm9WM