Effie Darlene Barba

Psalm 9:  ⁸ And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

⁹ The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

¹⁰ And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Do you seek Him with all your heart and being?  Do you know that the Creator of the Universe wants to talk with you about your worries, your failures, your hopes, your joys, and even when you are uncertain of what you need? You can trust Him with whatever you are facing today.  When King Solomon had completed the building of the temple, he stood back in amazement that God would promise to be there in presence to hear the cries of His people.  At the altar there was forgiveness of sin and there was hope because it was the picture of what was to come, the Messiah who would pay the penalty for all our sins.  God had made an unbreakable oath that He would be present to hear the cries of all who would seek Him. 

1Kings 8:

²⁷ But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

²⁸ Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

²⁹ That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

After Christ came to complete the work needed so that man could fully commune with God and took the sins of you and I upon Himself, the veil of the temple tore open; because it would no longer be needed to provide a sacrificial lamb to symbolize the atonement of Christ to come, for He had finished the work.  Mark 15: (amp) ³⁷ And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life.³⁸ And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Now, when we accept Christ’s atonement for our sin; the Holy Spirit (God the Spirit) enters in to dwell with us.  For that reason our bodies become the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6: for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

So do not think that your prayers, your thoughts, and your actions are only for the moment you are in church; but reverently recognize that all your thoughts are as a conversation with God.  Yet, just like when you are in a crowd of friends and someone is talking to everyone around them; it is not the same as when a friend takes the time to quietly, one on one speak with you.  God knows your needs; but He also knows that you need to talk about it with someone you can trust–Him.  He knows that you need to spend that quiet time alone with Him, so you can feel the power of His might, the comfort of His Grace, and the hope of His promises. 

All of this to say, have you spent any time alone with God in prayer today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5BnVuEl1jY

 

Romans 10: ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I Corinthians 9: ¹⁶ For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!…¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more…..

²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

²⁴ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (counterfeit)

Do you know Christ as your Savior?  Do you treasure the gift of salvation that you have so freely been given?  Do you look around you and agonize over the lost in the world?  If you really believe the gospel and know that there is no hope for anyone unless they come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ; then why are you sitting contentedly in your own salvation without spreading the "good news"?   If you heard tomorrow that everyone who asked would be pardoned from all debt and given $1,000,000.00, who would you tell? Yet, the eternity of all who are lost is hanging in the balance; and who do you tell?  Are you daily exercising, studying and preparing your mind and your life for that opportunity to proclaim Christ to someone?  If you love Christ with all your heart and soul, why would you not want the world to know about this great love?  Are you like Paul compelled with a passion that necessitates your proclaiming His name so that if you didn’t you would grieve with great sorrow?  Do you have a great passion for Christ and in that have a passion for the lost?  "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Nor do I mean that you go out and talk about Christ while at the same time you are unwilling to  come under subjection to Christ, in your life.  I must continuously lay down my life, study His Word, repent of my sins so that I might live the life which can draw men toward Christ?  Can I live a life filled with selfishness, pride and unrepentant sin while proclaiming His name?  Can my words be constantly destroyed by my example?  Each morning I must be willing to undergo the Master’s shears (found in His word and prayer) and lay all that is left of self at the feet of the cross; so as not to be found a counterfeit.  Only then can I hear His soft, gentle voice telling me what I am to say and to whom I must speak today?

A TALK WITH GOD

Oh, let me Lord delight in You

And lay all else I hold aside

For no desire could mean as much

As hear Your voice, to feel your touch

And in Your arms abide

I feel the safety of your arms

Surrounding me throughout each storm

And when the bitter winter wind

Would bid my very spirit bend

Your breath will keep me warm

Forgive me Lord, this fragile heart

Sometimes desires too much

Forgetting You are all I need

Then comes my tears, my plead

To stop and feel Your touch

I then can hear your gentle laugh

The love within Your voice

“My child I love you evermore

My gifts on you I freely pour

The best for you my choice”

Oh, Lord I want to stay right here

And sit here at Your feet

To never step away from You

And then I cannot lose my view

No chance for fear, defeat

“But child I ask then who would go

To tell the wounded broken heart

That I their lonely heart would mend

If not but you, who can I send?

If you refuse to start”

Then Father, Dear, I must say yes

To go and run Your bidding do

And You will cast aside my fears

Your hand will wipe away my tears

And keep my eyes on You

I know that You go with me now

You’re ever present in my heart

I feel Your joy arise within

I feel Your wondrous strength again

Your love will ne’er depart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHjdRDBS25k

Matthew 16: ¹³ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 7: ²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

John 14: ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

⁷ If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

It has become a popular idea to say that there are many paths that lead to God.  Many people who do not believe that Christ is the only living Son of God will even comment that they are better Christians than most "Christians"; yet, they do not proclaim the name of Christ as their Savior, nor do they believe that Christ is the only means of having a relationship with the living God.  It is sad; but true that many people who call themselves Christians disgrace the name of God.  A lot of those people are also religious only for what they think they might gain were they to "believe in God; after all, name it-claim it- God is one big Santa Claus" is an idea that has grown rampantly throughout the churches.  Many claim that Christ was a great prophet and teacher.  Many believe that their own "good works" will take them to heaven.  I wish I could say that my own life was a continuous shining example, always saying and doing the right thing; but, alas in the wee hours of the morning as the Word of God cuts through me, dissecting my motives, actions, thoughts, and desires, I realize how unworthy I am of this Grace I have been given.  There before the throne of God I can no longer pridefully compare myself to other people; but as I study the word and see the Majesty, Glory and Righteousness of God displayed I must fall before Him in utter failure.  Yet, there is this rock of truth that I can build my life and my future Upon–that rock is the revelation of the undeniable truth that Christ is the Son of the Living God.  If I really believe that, then I must believe that my only way to find God is through Christ.  To believe anything else would be to deny that He is the Son of the Living God; because His words must every one be true and He declared that He was the only way.  All my best righteousness is worthless compared to the righteousness that would be required to stand in the presence of God; therefore, I need to be clothed in the righteousness that only can be given to me by the very one who left the splendor of heaven to suffer and die on a cross bearing the penalty for all my sins. 

The following prayer by Jesus to His Father was among the last words that the disciples heard before Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He awaited the arrival of those whom He knew would come to arrest Him.  When you can read the entire chapter.  Look at what He asked of the Father to give to all who would believe in Him as their Savior. 

John 17:  ³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was….

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves….

¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…

¹⁸ As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

So, my final question to you is "Who do You Say Christ is?"

 

Galatians 5:  1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

^{4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  5.} For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 21:

¹⁵ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Have you ever fallen in love?  The use of the term "fall" implies that the process is in some way inevitable, uncontrollable, irreversible, and that it puts the lover in a state of vulnerability.  There is that feeling of renewed energy, hope, and joy.  Trials of life seem to fade into a distance.  Your world becomes consumed with doing things that bring pleasure to the one you love.  Certainly, you never want to cause them sorrow or pain.  You lift them up, you trust them, and you would be willing to die for them. You want to be near them all the time.  You long for them when they are away and your heart leaps with joy when they return or call.  If they have to be farther away you cherish each letter they write and read them over and over.  So, let me ask you this question, "When was the last time that you loved Jesus Christ that way?  Have you ever fallen in love with Him?  Have you ever awoke at 3 am and just wanted to spend some time alone with Him, not asking for anything, just sitting, reading His letters and overwhelmed by His love (consumed by His presence surrounding you)?  He, once and for all fulfilled the law when He died on the cross; therefore, my Christian walk is no longer my struggling to fulfill the law out of fear of chastisement.  My desire to conquer sin is a desire born from faith because I have fallen profoundly, overwhelmingly in Love with my Savior.  This morning devotional is a labor of love; because, I so want you to come to know Him as I do.  I want you to see how truly beautiful He is because I know if I ever show you the true picture of who He is, you would fall in love with Him too.  It would be inevitable, irreversible, and uncontrollable. 

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

 

 

 

Psalm 44:

²⁰ If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

²¹ Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

²² Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Romans 8

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He who knows the very darkest secrets of my heart was willing to leave His throne to come to this earth to die on the cross bearing my sins so that I might have eternal fellowship with Him the only source of true Joy because of the overwhelming depth of His love for me.  This is a love that is so great that no matter what trials, tribulations, distresses may come in the New Year, I may rejoice in His Love.  My heart’s desire is to continue to seek Him, follow Him and proclaim His name to a world in need.  For His Glorious Name let me lay down my life, my desires, and my dreams–let me for the sake of Christ, die to self all day long that He might shine brightly through me.  And this I know, there is nothing that can separate me from His Love.   My question to you, Do you have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  I do not mean a head knowledge or a belief that He was some great prophet or good man; but can you remember a moment or time that you saw Him as so Glorious that you knew there was never anything that you could do that would be good enough to make you worthy of being in His presence?  Did you fall before Him at the foot of the Cross and ask Him to come into your heart?  Is He seated on the throne of your heart?  Is seeking after Him your greatest desire, above family, friends, fame, self-comfort, and job? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvXAR1jwIU