Effie Darlene Barba

Ephesians 1: ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

When I read the letters of the Apostle Paul, I am so amazed as to the significance of every word. Sometimes it is even difficult to pinpoint one single message as each scripture screams forth so many.  So let me concentrate on one part of the message from this incredible passage.  Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus and told them that the prayer he had for them was that God, the Father of Glory would give to them "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him."   He wanted them to come to realize the fullness of Him (seeing ever so dimly at times the magnificence of His Glory).  Studying, learning, seeking to know Him above all else. So that as they come to know Him more, the eyes of their understanding become enlightened to the hope found in His having called them and the riches of the Glory of His inheritance in the saints.   Hope–so that there is no cause for despair no matter what the circumstances may be?  This is a hope founded upon God, His promises, His power, and His love.  He who from before the foundations of the earth had planned a way for your salvation, who was willing to give the greatest sacrifice so that He could share His love and Glory with you, if only you accept His gift.  He shares His hope and His Glory by not sparing a single iota of His power.  Our hope is founded upon His mighty power which He uses to protect us, guide us and provide for us along this journey.  Look at verses 19 to 23 very carefully again.  Do you not begin to see the magnitude of that hope found in His calling us to be His own, the riches of the glory that He desires to share, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.  This power was the same power which raised Christ from the dead and sat him at the right hand of the Father upon the throne eternally to reign.  A power that is far greater than all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that could ever be named on this earth and eternally to the world which will come.  So my dear Christian friend, what do you have to ever worry about?   I, too, pray that yours eyes be enlightened to understand this Hope.  For those of you who do not know Christ as your Savior, I urge you to seek Him. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYiEyu8Si8

Ephesians 2: 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The gift of salvation is given to all who will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  This is a gift undeserved.  Some want to say that they have earned this salvation by their works and by their life.  There could never be salvation without the payment that Christ paid on Calvary.  We are all dead in our trespasses and sins until we see and accept this great gift, falling before Him with a contrite heart.  Until we see a glimpse of His magnificent Glory such that the light shining forth from Him reveals the darkness hidden deep within our own hearts, there is no hope to find this great gift of salvation.   Yet, there are others who would say, since this gift is free from works then I will take the gift as it is…free and do nothing.  That is also false because when you truly understand the gift, love would not allow you to stand still.  With salvation comes the power to overcome sin.  God sets about the work of transforming sanctification.  His great love cannot leave you there in the unlovely state for which He found you; but will transform you.  The work then becomes Christ’s work manifested through the believer.  Not by our own strength are we able to perform this, but by His mighty strength.  So, as a Grateful Servant, let us all get about the work He has ordained us to perform in His Strength and clothed with His righteousness. 

Let me try to explain this in a way that you might understand, though any illustration falls very short of the full act.   Let’s say that you want to buy a beautiful house set on a hill that expands thousands of acres.   The owner knows that even if you work for a lifetime, you will not be able to pay the price for that home.  He decides to give you that house and land as a free gift.  Beyond that he wants to give you the work force to tend the land and house.  His only desire is your friendship and to spend time talking with you, guiding you in the care of that gift, and your trust.   You, because of self pride, become offended and say, “No, I will not take the house or your friendship until I can earn it.  I will work very hard and one day then you can give me the house after I have earned it.”  Year after year goes by and still you have not been able to pay even a small portion toward the price of that house.  You have not been able to enjoy the home nor his friendship.  You become frustrated, angry, and then blame him for the price being too high.  What kind of fool would you have been?  Another point is also evident.  If you accept the gift, your gratitude and love would command you from inside to try to please the gift giver by caring for the gift.  He gave you something very precious and that in its own would cause you to follow his direction in its care out of love not out of labor.

The Grace in Which I Stand

by Effie Darlene Barba

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.

 

So let us Join in Song and Prayer with Krysten Getty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPVtx_HCpOo&list=UUo9g1AKA1sWpJjifnGEukEQ&index=1&feature=plcp

To all my followers, I am leaving today for California to visit my grand-daughter so that I might not be able to post to the website.  I will if I can figure out how; but if I can’t I will see you back here next week.  Thank you, Effie Darlene Barba

Some verses to consider in prayer.

I Corinthians 6:  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

⁴ If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

⁵ I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

⁶ But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

⁷ Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Matthew 5: ⁴⁰ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

⁴¹ And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

⁴² Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

⁴³ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

⁴⁶ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Romans 13: 13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 12: ¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/when-is-it-right-to-repay-evil-with-pain

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

⁵ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

⁶ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Paul, the apostle, in his final letter to Timothy knew that his work on this earth would soon be done.  Though we do not know the details of his death, it is believed that he was led out of the city along the Ostian road where he was beheaded as was the custom of the day for criminals of prominence. Because Paul was a Roman Citizen, he was beheaded rather than crucified as befits the customs of the day.  This final letter to Timothy was filled with pleas to not allow false teaching to sift into the preaching of the gospel.  Even in the early days of the church there was apostasy.  Legalism, prosperity gospel, new age were already doctrines that were rapidly distorting the truth of the gospel with men seeking after their own lusts. 

2 Timothy 3: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So, how do we know where to turn? 

Timothy 3: ¹⁴ But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

We must remain diligent in our studies of God’s word.   We must carefully pray and allow the Holy Spirit to help us in discerning truth as He is the great teacher.  Let me say there are many good teachers of God’s words; but let me share with you the websites for some that are a regular diet for me.  These are men that I know serve God and teach God’s word with great humility, grace; always diligent to speak uncompromising truth.

Dr. Michael Youssef at http://www.leadingtheway.org

Dr. Charles Stanley at http://www.intouch.org/

John Piper at http://www.desiringgod.org/

David Jeremiah at http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/

Alistair Begg at http://www.truthforlife.org/

I highly recommend all of these great teachers and in fact I have their apps on my phone so I may listen when driving in the car.  It is important that we know the truth so that we may stand on biblical truth so as not to be swayed by so much false doctrine as may even be coming from some churches.  I do not recommend that this is a substitute for reading your Bible, but it is a supplement to reading your Bible.  Find a good, bible teaching church to be a part of. 

"Truly, Lord, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet.  It is your word that reveals your way to me and is my guide to prevent this heart from straying.  My desire, Lord is to forever seek your face.  Draw me nearer to thee with each passing day, so I might see Your magnificent Glory more brightly through Your word as it reveals You to me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SLHWFpSlq4

Ephesians 5: even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

In truth the gospel of Jesus Christ is a story of love beyond any love you have ever known. One that would fill you completely and fully, allowing you to become the best you can be. A King separated from his beloved. His beloved was rightfully condemned and sentenced to death in a far away land; because she was guilty.   The King left His Glorious Throne in search of his love. He left the comforts of his palace behind in order to walk in a land without even a place to lay his head.  He suffered rejection, hunger, and physical pain so as to pay the price so that his love could be freed from the chains of bondage that held her.  He, though completely innocent, gave His life to pay her penalty so that she could be set free.  He gave everything. He rose again and returned to the throne where He can make intercession for her until the day she joins Him. He has sent her love letters that she may remember Him and know Him, more intimately.  He also sent her a counselor to teach her, guide her, and protect her. He did all this despite the fact that she had no beauty or goodness of her own; yet, He knew that she could be beautiful once joined with Him.  The amazing thing is, I am that love.  He loves me so much that He will not leave me in the state in which He found me—though He loves me unconditionally, He desires that I become as beautiful as He knows I can be (He can see the finished product).  He wants me to be able to realize that beauty and wants me to be able to love myself as well.  He knows perfectly what is needed to transform me into that blemish free bride.   That is love—that He would choose me and love me while patiently, gently transforming me into His beautiful princess.  He would then present me to His Father, clean and pure without any blemish.  His Father would love me then with the same love that He has for His Son and I would be clothed with His Glory as though I had that Glory within myself.  Is that not the kind of love your heart has been searching for?  One that loves you unconditionally and that loves you so much that they (seeing you as you will become)  will set about the task of gently transforming you into the best you that you can be. 

            When you are able to realize the profound depth of love that God has for you and accept this gift of love you will find a power, a joy, a peace that you suddenly realize nothing is impossible for you. I John 4: 8 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” This is a love that sets you completely free of fear. No fear as to your future, no fear as to whether you can lose this love, no fear of rejection, no fear of failure, and no fear of any loss. If you have ever loved someone profoundly, I am sure you are wondering how I can say love has no torment. But you see the torment comes from loving someone who places conditions on their returning our love and because we have set ideas as to what we want to receive in return for our love. This is imperfect love, because it thinks of self first; but that is not the perfect love that I am referring to here. I am talking about someone who loves you more than you could ever imagine being loved, someone who wants to lavish you with the greatest gift of all- God’s companionship. Someone who accepts you when you are right and when you are wrong, who continues to love you when you ignore him, are angry with him, and even when you are truly ugly both inside and out. Yet, because of the depth of that love, He will not allow you to remain there in your unlovable state of disarray; but will set about the work of transforming you into the beautiful beloved by removing all counterfeit desires so that you might truly see and understand His love for you. This kind of love will so encompass you that one day you will realize that He is perfect beauty, peace and joy.  You will then understand that you desire Him above everything else.

GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE

Oh, Love Divine, what greater thought

That you should suffer, bleed and die

To pay my sin, my freedom bought

Though I screamed Crucify

With every action of my life

I cast aside your pleading cries

I caused you pain, I gave you strife

And chose to follow after lies

I could not see your beauty then

As now I see your face

Your light shone forth, e’er so dim

That I might see Your Grace

You drew me out, you pulled me in

That I might then seek you

You covered then my ugly sin

Your righteousness to view

Such love Divine, pursuing me

Your Joy and Hope to share

How could I run, How could I flee

Naught else could e’er compare

Unto the hope I find in You

As now I turn to seek your Face

Your Glory shines and lights my view

You guide me on at gentle pace

Transforming thus my wretched heart

Unto the one You knew I’d be

Your joyous love ne’er to depart

For all eternity.

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