Effie Darlene Barba

Hebrews 4: ¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

I fear that too often we tend to not realize that Christ did suffer temptation.  When He chose to pay the penalty for our sins, He chose to take on human flesh and to suffer the temptations of sin’s lies.  We see some of those lies when He was being tempted by Satan in the desert.  His body felt hunger, sexual desire, anger, and pain as we did; yet, He did not sin. His temptation never let up.  Example, when you are on a diet the temptation to eat that piece of cheesecake lasts only as long as you continue to resist it; but goes away when you succumb to temptation.  Christ did not succumb to the temptation; therefore, the temptation remained and built within Him.  He spent every morning in prayer with the Father and I believe He pleaded with the Father not to allow the flesh He bore to win.  He knew that if He sinned, there would be no propitiation for sin.  If He did not remain perfect righteousness, the cross meant nothing.  If we do not see the depth of His temptation, His righteousness, and His obedience, we can never see the depravity of our own sin against God.  We must fight against sin within our own hearts and plead ever the more that God display His power and righteousness through us.  If we make light of His temptation, we make light of our own sin.  Philippians 2: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

His obedience was perfected by His overcoming the temptations of the flesh.  His Glory was magnified by His taking on human flesh, conquering sin and dying a substitutionary death to pay our penalty of sin.  For the eternal joy set before Him (the joy of sharing His love, joy and glory with us); He chose to come to earth, risk everything, and to die on a cross rejected by the very ones He came to save.

So, we must too take example and pray that God’s righteousness reign in our hearts, minds, and souls.  We must study and grow on the milk of the word so that we might stand firm against sin’s tempting lies; holding tight to our faith, believing that He has provided us with the righteousness that He wishes to display through us.  Our only defensive weapon in this fight is His word.  Do you really believe that He has provided you His righteousness; then, if so why not display it in your life? This should be our prayer each morning that we might seek Him with all our hearts and lay aside our petty desires to desire Him our greatest treasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJY0KnUjkPI

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

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

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Our justification is by faith, our endurance is by faith, and we are able to stand because of faith.  The true question in the Christian walk is do I believe what God has promised.  Do I really believe that He loves me and that He has the perfect plan for my life?  Do I really believe that He intends for me to share in His love, His joy and His glory or do I doubt His sincerity?  I daresay that any time I have fallen short of that Glory it has been because I really did not believe these truths deep in my heart.  If I did then why would I try to manipulate my circumstances or seek after anything other than Him?  He has taken the responsibility for not only my salvation, my justification; but also, my sanctification.  His purpose is to make me look more like Christ so that I can be presented before Him as a bride without blemish.  If you really love someone you cannot just leave them satisfied with only half truths; but, rather you ever so gently coax them into becoming the best that they can be.  Much like a baby who has learned to crawl and then with gentleness and guidance you help him to begin to walk.  Would you want to have him only crawl for the rest of his life and miss out on those things which he can discover through walking?   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.

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7oZkBgZCm4

Matthew 28:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

All power in heaven and earth belong to Jesus.  What do you have to fear?  You may want to say but I thought Satan was the prince and the Power of the air?  Why does so much evil exist if God is on His throne and He has all power?  Couldn’t He just speak and bring it all to a sudden end? Precisely,  He could and if He tarries it is that one more soul is yet to come into His fold to share in His love, His joy and His Glory.  It is His Grace and Mercy that cause Him to wait one more day to give each of you that one more chance to seek Him, and to follow Him.  That is why we are commissioned to Go out and teach all nations.  Then why so much sorrow and so much evil is allowed?  Foolish men that we are, He allows it to continue because we of such vain and pride filled hearts never even think to look at Him in all His glory unless some disaster befalls us.  We seek all the counterfeit joys and believe them to be our treasure while ignoring the greatest treasure of all–God’s presence in our lives.  So He waits and allows Satan and all His followers to reek havoc for one more day, He encircles His own with His love.  He has the best planned for His children and He gently guides us into the fullness of joy that can be found only in Him.

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

2 Timothy 2: ¹⁹ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

²¹ If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Paul sent 2 letters to Timothy for instruction and for guidance in this Christian walk.  Timothy was a young man.  He urged him to follow Christ with a pure heart.  When we remember all that Christ did for us, we should desire to be a vessel that will bring honor to the name of God.  We were adopted into His family and should always be mindful that our actions reflect upon our Father for honor or dishonor.  So, study that you might know that which is right, honorable, and just.  Avoid getting into doctrinal arguments with those who are ignorant; but rather, teach by example and gently–waiting patiently for God to speak through you.  Your example will outshine any words you might speak to guide others to Christ.  Whenever you get it wrong, then be quick to admit your failure and apologize.  "Lord, so often I have faltered and at times I have failed to honor Your name in all that I say and do.  So fill my heart that I might display Your Love and Joy to a world so in need of you.  Guide my thoughts, guard my mouth, and show me your way.  I only want to seek and savor You so that this vessel might display your love, Your joy, and Your glory.  I desire to bring You honor. In Jesus name I pray, Amen"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb5WanDeYkc

Ephesians 2 And 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.

God has been so rich in his mercy and grace toward us.  The problem that we most deal with in life is faith.  It is our failure to believe in God’s promises that lead us to see the lies of sin as compelling.  We must continually bathe in the word of God so that light shines deep into our hearts to illuminate those items we wish to cling to. The lies of sin become so embedded within the dark recesses of our hearts so that we have a hard time letting go sometimes until the light of God’s Word is able to shine deep within us and break them apart.  We may think, "to succeed and pass this difficult course, I need to cheat on this one test." In order to attract that guy over there, I need to dress provocatively"  "If I don’t compromise my principles, I may lose that guy who makes me feel so loved and so it will be ok to compromise this once" "My marriage is so miserable, I will just get a divorce or I am justified to have an affair, my happiness depends on it."  "You are a fool to forgive that person, revenge is what you need." "Only a fool would tithe, after all, God understands you cannot afford to on your salary" So go the lies of sin.  We have, by nature so much darkness within our own hearts that Satan could take a vacation and we would continue on in our own pride, jealousy, revenge and disbelief. John Piper gave a great illustration which I would like to share. In the dark recesses, we may pick up a black, shiny object and cherish it for ebony.  We admire it and cherish it.  We put it in our pocket so that we might feel it close to us and cherish it–or place it on a chain around our neck.  We begin to read the word of God, light begins to shine into those dark places and we pull out that cherished object to see it clearly in the brightness and suddenly realize that instead of a piece of ebony we are holding in our hands a cockroach.  We begin to shake our hand to through away that object as quickly as possible (that violent disgust and  rejection of the object once cherished–that is repentance).  Hebrews 4:¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.  God’s mercy is to shed so much light through His word so that we do not cling to cockroaches and believe them to be cherished items; instead, he wishes to fill our hands with His Brilliant diamonds of truth to guide us and to provide us His rest.  We should savor and seek out His promises by reading the word of God. "I will up hold you, I will love you, I will provide for you, I have removed your transgressions, I will strengthen you, and I will transform you into the Glorious likeness of my son. I will give you my water of life, my joy, and my rest."  As you seek the Word and the light shines into the depth of your heart, what cockroaches are revealed and suddenly repulse you into throwing them away to no more be a part of your life. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rl45JnnRSw