The real battle for humans begins in the world of thought.  In this God created humans unique from all the rest of this earth’s creations.  We were created with the ability to reason and to think.  Therein we have the chance to choose.  Our actions begin with a thought first in our innermost being.  Temptations as well as our greatest moments of faith result from what begins as a thought.  We are what we think.  “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. Hypocrisy often comes from hearts filled with greed spilling forth with false words meant to entrap the victim.  So, it does really matter how our innermost thoughts align with reality.  And since Jesus is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life, then it does really matter what your innermost thoughts are Concerning Jesus.  

Only through learning to focus upon Him can we choose that which is right and gain victory over the temptations of this world.  We are attacked from every side; because humanity is ever pushing forward with an ideology of self-exaltation.  With love, there must be freedom to choose.  With freedom there is always the possibility and potential for evil.  Therefore, justice is required for a society to exist without self-annihilation.  Without Justice, there is chaos which leads to anarchy and ultimately a totalitarian government to reign in the chaos.

Then Where is their hope?

For freedom to be reborn and for love to survive, a transformational forgiveness is needed to overcome evil.  There is only once place where love, justice, evil, and forgiveness meet—that is the cross of Jesus Christ.  Only the Grace of God, the creator of this universe, can transform hearts.  Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation for humanity.  He died to pay the penalty for our sin so the demands of justice.  Only He can take our broken, selfish hearts, transforming them into ones that choose righteousness.  Therein we find hope, joy, and peace instead of chaos. 

Meanwhile, He cloaks us in His righteousness until that day we stand with these broken vessels fully redeemed into His glorious image.   Therefore, our innermost thoughts concerning Jesus really do matter if we are to find our way in this world and truly find meaning for life.

Some say the greatest fear of humanity is not finding being-as displayed in Being and nothingness.  Yet, only in Jesus do we have being.    

Acts 17: 24-31

²⁴ God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. ²⁵ Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. ²⁶ And He has made from one ^[j]blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings. ²⁷ So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 

²⁸ for in Him we live and move and have our being. As also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ ²⁹ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. ³⁰ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

 Evil wins when men and women’s thoughts turn away from God toward anything else.  Therefore, it is of ultimate importance to establish what are your innermost thoughts concerning Jesus Christ. 

Concerning Jesus

¹⁸ And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹ So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” ²⁰ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Note first, Jesus as we often found Him in His Human body, was alone praying.  God the Father and the Holy Spirit were His focus for strength, joy, hope, wisdom and power.  They supplied all He needed.  That communion was vital to His being able to live fully human, face all the temptations of this world while remaining the fully righteous son of God-Himself co-creator of the world.  In a sense, He chose to lay aside His superpowers and rely fully on theirs. 

Second recognize that Peter answered correctly, when asked who Jesus really is.  He is the great I am, the Messiah.  Jesus replied as we note in Matthew 16:

¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

That thought which then was expressed began with the Holy Spirit’s revelation to Peter. Again, the innermost thoughts concerning Jesus really do matter.  Only when we recognize who He is can we understand fully the truth of our destiny and our being in Him.

The Revelation of what is to come.

Luke 9 ²¹ And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

There it is the gospel message in a nutshell.  Christ, the Messiah, God’s only begotten son would die a cruel death on the cross to pay the price for all sin.  At the cross all the evil of all humanity is poured out upon Him.  But do not fear, He told them because He will be victorious. Therein lies our hope of salvation.  All who believe in Him, will also be declared victorious.  We will have our being established in Him for all of eternity.  Declared righteous, we are endowed with all the powers needed to be victorious over sin; yet our innermost thoughts need to be corralled to keep our focus on Him who is our victory.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross ^[b]daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”   Luke 9

We are to take up our cross, whatever that might be.  Not something we so willingly desire to do, unless we fully understand the truth and where that cross leads us—to Him who is our greatest treasure, joy, hope and peace.  He tells them of His destiny to die on the cross; but we realize they did not fully understand this.  Note that He tells them some will see at least a glimpse of the kingdom of God.    We too see a glimpse of His Glory with each day if we truly look.  Glimpses of His Mercy and Grace which can transform our innermost thoughts.  But alas, too quickly we allow our thoughts to be drawn aside by this world.  Much like Peter.  Remember even after all this, he denied Christ when all this began to be played out soon after. 

Oh, but that is another story.  Let us look at what happens next!

Concerning Jesus-a Glimpse of the Kingdom

Luke 9:  ²⁸ Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. ³⁰ And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of His ^[c]decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

³² But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. ³³ Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three ^[d]tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is ^[e]My beloved Son. Hear Him!” ³⁶ When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Innermost Thoughts Concerning Christ

Remember 8 days prior, Peter declared that Jesus was ““The Christ of God.”  Now he wants to build altars to Elijah, Moses, and Jesus.  Had Peter forgotten that Jesus was not another prophet, but the Messiah.  Only He was worthy of worship, not Elijah or Moses.  God quickly spoke and cleared up the confusion.  ““This is ^[e]My beloved Son. Hear Him!” and Him only!” ³⁶ When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. 

Note also, the conversation of Jesus, Moses and Elijah was about the coming crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Again, despite all this, when Peter failed to conform his innermost thoughts to all that Jesus Christ had revealed, Peter denied Christ. At the trial when the chaos of his own thoughts blocked his mind from what had already been revealed, his thoughts led to his actions.  How often do we do the same? 

We are to be the salt and the light to the world. Therefore, we must beware of our innermost thoughts concerning Christ, every moment of every day. 

Guard Your Innermost Thoughts

In our present world, the secular humanists’ manifestos have overtaken most of our society and our educational system.  From the evolutionary theory to the cancel culture, we have watched the evolution of this worldview. This ideology leads only to destruction while proclaiming their moral standards higher than God, for they in truth deny Him.  Their final view of reality is that of impersonal materialism.  We see the end results, abortion, genocide, cancel culture, and racial divide. These false ideas presented through the trojan horses of media and politicians. Destroying America’s freedom, while bowing to their humanistic idols of self-righteousness they march on.  Yet, we must recognize the penetration of these evils into our own innermost thoughts concerning Christ. 

How quickly has our society negatively impacted our desire to stand firm proclaiming the truth of the gospel.  How quickly do we cower to their criticisms of us, becoming silent and allowing their false narrative to intimidate us!  So, what are we to do?

Hold fast to our Innermost Thoughts concerning Christ.

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  ⁶ And being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10)

2 Timothy 2: ¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to ^[a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  ¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[b]idle babblings, for they will ^[c]increase to more ungodliness.

1 Peter 1:¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance. ¹⁵ But as He who called you is holy. You also be holy in all your conduct. ¹⁶ Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

How?

Philippians 4 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your ^[b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do. And the God of peace will be with you.

Keep Your Innermost Thoughts focused on what is Concerning Jesus!

I Peter 1:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance ^[b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been ^[c]grieved by various trials. ⁷ That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not ^[d]seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

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How does Unbelievable Grace lead to Unparalleled love

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What if someone knows you, everything there is to know about you and yet loved you with such grace and forgiveness? Would that unbelievable Grace lead to Unparalleled Love? Let’s go one step further. What if your actions at times have brought disgrace and sorrow to the one who loves you so. Yet, they forgive you, every infraction. Would that cause you to love them even more? Particularly if they never compromise on the truth. With a gentleness and grace they saw all of your flaws, imperfections, and failures; yet, they with patience and kindness guide you to become the gentleman or lady they see you as being filled with beauty and grace overflowing. The one you never in your wildest dreams knew you could become. A prince or princess with wisdom and a radiance never before seen.

Well that is the love God has for you. Precisely that is what Jesus offers you. Would just one touch of His grace not transform your heart to love Him with an unparalleled love?

Unparalleled Love of One Woman

³⁶ Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table ³⁷ Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.

The woman from the town was known to be a sinner, most likely a prostitute.  Normally she would not have been allowed to be in the home of this Pharisee.  However, Jesus was invited in and a crowd surrounded and followed Him wherever He went.  A crowd could come inside and be present in that day when someone famous came to visit.  The woman had met Jesus somewhere before this night and been redeemed, having repented of her sins. 

We are not told exactly where or when this had occurred; but the word Jesus used later in this story when saying her sins had been forgiven was that: already had been and continue to be.  So, when she heard Jesus was there, she loved Him so.  All she wanted was to draw near enough to anoint His head with her most precious possession, the oil in her alabaster box.  Imagine the depth of her love that made her bold enough to even enter the room.  They were reclined at the table like this picture. 

Uncontrollable, Unashamed, Abounding Devotional Unparalleled Love

  ³⁸ As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair kissed them and anointed them with the perfumed oil.

Imagine the emotion running through her.  He, who had transformed her life lay there on the floor before her.  She could not hold back the tears of gratitude or joy any longer.  And as her tears began to fall upon His feet, she saw that no one had washed His feet (as was the custom for a guest of honor).   She saw the dust and dirt on His feet and with an act of compassion,  got down on the floor next to His feet.  Her tears began to pour from her eyes uncontrollably.  With no towel in sight, she let her hair down to use her hair as a towel.  Women were not to let their hair down in public or have it uncovered; but her love for Jesus demanded she dry His feet.  Lovingly, once washed, she poured the oil on His feet.   

Did she worry what the others would think?  No!

 ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,he would know who and what kind of womanthis is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ SoJesus answered him,“Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied,“Say it, Teacher.”

Simon thought in his head; but Jesus knew what he was thinking.  He thought Jesus wasn’t a prophet; because surely, He had not known what kind of woman was touching Him.  Note: Simon did not even consider that Jesus would have elicited such a contact—at least His character was not in question.  People did at least seem to understand this. But the pharisee did question His deity or special prophetic knowledge. 

A Parable

Jesus said,

⁴¹ “A certain creditorhad two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins,and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Not certain if Simon’s “I suppose was” with a questioning or sarcastic voice.  Either way, he was wary of the question.  But the truth is:  the one who recognizes their unworthiness or sees the depths of their sins, is the one who is grateful enough to lay aside their own self to honor the one they love. That is unparalleled love. Simon did not even recognize his sins or unworthiness.  In fact, his arrogance was such as to not even provide a servant to wash the feet of Jesus.  He thought himself morally superior just by having invited Jesus to the table. 

Why was hers an Unparalleled Love?

 ⁴⁴ Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Saved by faith; but what about those moments when we doubt?

Concluding Thought

What wondrous Grace! The longer that I am saved, the more I recognize the magnitude of His Grace toward me. Daily, I see how far from His righteousness I stand and how imperfect is my love toward Him and others. Yet, He loved me and He promises to perfect my heart one day. How could I give to Him less than my all.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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Why was the Faith of the Centurion Really Amazing?

Because Of The Lies, The Truth Has Been Blurred

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

After Jesus had finished teaching all this to the people,he entered Capernaum.  ² A centurion there had a slave who was highly regarded but who was sick and at the point of death. ³ When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave.  ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they urged him earnestly,“He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵ because he loves our nation,and even built our synagogue.”  Luke 7 (NET)

Something to note here.  This Roman Commander was loved by the Jewish people he had command over.     

⁶ So Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself,for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof! ⁷ That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant must be healed. ⁸ For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me.I say to this one,‘Go!’ He goes, To another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. Or to my slave, ‘Do this!’ He does it.”⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. He turned and said to the crowd that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith!” ¹⁰ So when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.  Luke 7 (NET)

Why did Jesus commend the Centurion’s Faith?

 A Pagan Believer—unheard of Faith

The Centurion had only heard of Jesus; yet, believed He had the power to heal.  This went against all this Roman Commander had been taught to believe.  His position was one of enforcing the Roman laws.  To be a centurion, he had distinguished himself as a very adept warrior. 

Furthermore, he must have been brought up as a pagan.  The Roman Empire was primarily a polytheistic civilization, which meant that people recognized and worshiped multiple gods and goddess. The main god and goddesses in Roman culture were Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.  Yet, even more astonishing was that in 19 AD when Augustus died-he had been declared a god, as had his adopted father Julius Caesar.  On his death, Julius Caesar was officially recognized as a god, the Divine (‘Divus’) Julius, by the Roman state. And in 29 BC Caesar’s adopted son, the first Roman emperor Augustus, allowed the culturally Greek cities of Asia Minor to set up temples to him.

So it was remarkable that this centurion loved the Jewish people whom he ruled over and they loved him.   Even more remarkable that he had believed what he heard about Jesus.

A Humble Centurion Leader

Note, the centurion, a man who commanded at minimum 100 soldiers, a leader in the Roman Army; declared himself unworthy to be visited by Jesus.  Think of this!  He did not feel himself weakened by admitting his own unworthiness before the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Demonstrating by this one act, that he understood more of who Jesus was than the Jewish leaders did.  It does not tell us how he knew this.  Had he read and studied the scriptures himself?  Or was this revealed to him fully by the Holy Spirit? Either way it was the Holy Spirit who had drawn this man to understand that Jesus was the Righteous Son of the One true God.  Why do I say that?  Read on. 

Faith Beyond What He Could See

This centurion knew that Jesus could heal the servant by merely speaking the words.  Go on and see what he said, “Instead, say the word, and my servant must be healed.  ⁸ For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me.I say to this one, ‘Go!’ He goes, To another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. Or to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”    “I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me.”  What soldiers of Jesus was he referring to?  Angels? Regardless He recognized that Jesus had authority over life and death.  Sickness and health.  Amazing his faith?  Just as Jesus said, “Amazing”.   His understanding of who Jesus was, superseded the Jewish nation and even the disciples following Jesus who should have known. 

What a Journey of Faith was displayed here!

This is the kind of faith that goes beyond what we can of our own obtain or hold fast to. We must rely on the Holy Spirit by continuously looking to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. Through prayer, Bible Study and remembering all that He has done for us and through us, we stand firm regardless of what the world may throw at us. Tomorrow, we will look at an unparalleled love; because He first loved us.

Never forget:  Faith is knowing God IS (Sovereign, Lord, Creator, Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, All-Powerful God—the one and only true God) and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  (not those who always get it right, not those who believe them selves righteous or holy, but those who diligently seek Him).

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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Because Of The Lies, The Truth Has Been Blurred

When I Feel So Lost, Alone-A Poem

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Because Of The Lies, The Truth Has Been Blurred

I awoke from my sleep in the darkness of night

Where shadows obscured a flickering light

I wondered, Dear Father, how can it be

Darkness engulfing my beloved country

I heard the lies swirling inside my head

Which forced me to leave my comfortable bed

I fell to my knees and pleaded to find

God’s truth and His spirit filling my mind

For Jesus, my Righteous and Sovereign King

Is the only one who can make my heart sing

The voices of many were not being heard

Because of the lies, the truth has been blurred

With joy and delight, so many had gone

For the love of this country they had been drawn

With voices of patriots, proud there to be

Wanting the world finally to see

All that the media hid there from our sight

The evil unveiled, truth brought into light

So, how was it that such chaos ensued

For certainly then, the truth would be skewed

Each Patriot knew this was not the way

To have  voices heard on this fate-filled day

What were the forces who bid them go in

Knowing this was not how to win?

So, millions of voices never were heard

Because of the lies the truth has been blurred

Yet, still there it is, the hypocrisy

Where wrong is called right, while right cannot be

Where justice is skewed, where evil does win

Oh, where are you Lord, our cry from within

And yet, my Dear Father, I know of Your love

You rule over all from Your throne above

I know there are times, you allow what you hate

To accomplish Your plan with patience you wait

So, even when I do not understand

I will trust in the One who has everything planned

You’ve seen every tear and heard all the cries

While Your Gospel truth is distorted with lies

So many voices of babies never were heard

Because of the lies the truth has been blurred

Then I watched as a man with sadness depart

While knowing in truth, he had done his part

To stand for the truth to give voice to all

The forgotten, the lost and then most of all

To restore all the freedoms that had been lost

He did it all at such personal cost

Yet, Lord I do plead that you help him to see

That this is the plan, that really must be

Though it may appear that evil does win

You are revealing the truth of our evil and sin

So we may repent and bow before You

As the ending of time comes into view

Though so many voices are never heard

Because of the lies the truth has been blurred

This human race You made us to be

Moral and rational with choice to see

Able to love or even say no

Choosing our own selfish ego

Or thinking ourselves as higher still

Than even God, ignoring His will

Denying Him who gave us life

Choosing instead our evil and strife

While denying His love and His Precious grace

And even at times we have spit in His face

Closing our minds, God’s word is not heard

Because of the lies the truth has been blurred

So help me dear Lord, your truth to see

Your love, Your Grace, and Your victory

Open my heart to then understand

How all of this, when held in Your hand

Will shine forth Your Glory, Your precious Grace

That even more people will seek Your face

So, with patience Dear Father help me to wait

My destiny knowing You are my fate

And  return to my bed with heart full of  peace

All of the fears and sorrows now cease

Filled with Your Joy, Your Word I have heard

No more the lies, Your Truth never blurred

Yet, soon comes the day, when all this is done

Heaven’s door will swing wide, presenting Your SON

He is coming again bringing justice to all

The rich and the poor, the big and the small

All that we’ve seen of evil this year

Should cause us to gaze long into a mirror

Where there we might see our sin and our hate

Before we do reach our final fate

Looking deep in our heart, let us repent of our sin

Then look to the cross for cleansing within

Where there on that cross Your son bled and died

That sinners like I might be justified

There at the cross our voices are heard

Never again by the lies will Your Truth be blurred.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoyed this poem perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

Previous

When I Feel So Lost, Alone-A Poem

When I Feel So Lost, Alone-A Poem

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope FULLY upon the Grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:13).  As we turn to Luke 6:13, we read: “the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” Power went out from Him.  Jesus the Powerful is our hope, our wondrous hope of Grace.  I cannot nor do not deserve such grace.  For I too have a heart that so quickly bends to my own selfish desires.  My hope is not based on what I might be able to do or accomplish; but fully rests upon Jesus the Powerful King and Savior and the wondrous hope of Grace He has provided for me. 

Hope.  How do we hold fast to any hope?  Particularly if you turn on any news broadcast where stories of hate, anger, division, and strife play 24-7.  We are told that we must condemn all who cling to their faith or dare to speak up for the gospel of Christ.  Freedom of speech is only meant for those who agree with new age cancel culture, proclaiming truth is relative.  (That is unless you speak out, then your truth is declared a lie and not relative at all).  Amidst the chaos, confusion and hate that these ideas create, how can we have hope at all?   We can know this wondrous hope of grace only as we take our eyes off this world and put them fully on Him.  Jesus the powerful, Sovereign King of the Universe who willingly humbled Himself to die the death that we deserved.

To provide us the wondrous hope of Grace.

Our Wondrous Hope of Grace

Look once more at this truth.  “Rest Your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  Romans 8 23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”

When is this wondrous hope of grace?  Certainly, we know of His Grace, every day.  We were saved from our sins by Grace; but, for now we still reside in these human bodies.  Sometimes subjected to the fears, sorrows, pains, and stresses that attack our hearts and minds every day, despair creeps into our spirit.  Yet, when it does, we must look forward to that day when we will see Him fully face to face.  It is then that Jesus the Powerful Lion of Judah will complete the final chapter—the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Throughout scripture, He has been revealed to us; but one day, His Magnificence, His Glory, His Power and His Justice will be made known to all the world.  Then, and only then will we fully comprehend the magnitude of grace He has showered upon those of us who know Him as Lord and Savior.  For power goes forth from Him to heal all of us.  In the King James and the Geneva Bibles, this is translated virtue goes forth from Him.  I love that as well.  His Righteousness and power pour forth to heal me of unrighteousness and sin. 

Jesus the Powerful Son of Man-Lord of the Sabbath

Now it happened ^[a]on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. ² And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

³ But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: ⁴ how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” ⁵ And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Son of Man

Note that Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man.  This might seem odd how often he used this; yet not if one recognizes that He is referring to this denotation of Himself from Daniel 7:

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.

In other words, He was declaring that He is the long-awaited Messiah who will return to reign on earth one day.

What Was HE Saying?

Did Jesus recommend His Disciples break the law?  No never.  But the law did not say you could not eat on the Sabbath.  It forbade the people from working on the Sabbath. 

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.  Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.  Exodus 20: 8-11.

Exodus 31:

¹² And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ¹³ “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies^[a] you. ¹⁴ You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you.

The Sabbath was held for a particular purpose.  It was a reminder of the covenant between God and the nation.  A reminder that God alone could provide sanctification.  On the other hand, the Pharisees believed their fulfilling of the law, their works including keeping the Sabbath was what saved them.  A complete flip-flop from the truth.  No man or woman could be saved by their keeping of the law.  In fact, they had tacked on a thousand taboos to the original law to prove themselves “morally more righteous and condemn the rest of the people.  Yet, the truth was they were the greater sinner for their hypocrisy. 

In fact, the law did approve the very thing the disciples of Jesus were doing. 

Deuteronomy 23: “When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes at your pleasure, but you shall not put any in your container. ²⁵ When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.”

Hope of Grace Jesus The Powerful—Healer

⁶ Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. ⁷ So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. ⁸ But He knew their thoughts and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 

⁹ Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or ^[b]to destroy?” ¹⁰ And when He had looked around at them all, He said to ^[c]the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored ^[d]as whole as the other. ¹¹ But they were filled with rage and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

When they saw Jesus the Powerful healer the Pharisees hated Him.  They wanted Him cancelled because He was loved.  A nonstop campaign against Him was lodged.  Then, one night, the crowd turned against Him, crying “crucify Him.”  The same crowd ushered Him in with palm branches, suddenly turned against Him.  Why?  They did not understand.  He was the gift.  Not the physical healings. He came to heal their broken hearts and minds.  Jesus came to redeem them from themselves.  He was the long-awaited final Sacrificial lamb, the only one who could truly redeem them. 

That was not what they wanted.  They had no desire to empty themselves out so they might truly be healed spiritually.  Instead, all they could see was the here and now.  Never repenting of their sin.  And certainly, never conceding to their guilt before a Holy God. 

Wondrous Hope of Grace-Jesus the Powerful Savior

When all around you seems hopeless, take your eyes off the world and even yourself.  Look to Jesus!  Therein lies our hope.  As each day, He is further revealed to your heart, you are transformed into His image one glory at a time.  Then, one day when you stand before Him, you will have His heart. 

 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as ^[a]by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The most wondrous hope of Grace is one day my heart will be like His.  This selfish broken heart will know and be fully known, beating with His love flowing through it.  Then, I will understand fully all there is to know of Him and that will be enough.  All these moments of failure, despair will fade away.

So, What about now? What is our Wondrous Hope of Grace?

Just as Jesus showed us how to be always restored, we need to spend time alone with Him in prayer.  Take your eyes off the world and gaze into His lovely face. 

Remember this, Jesus healed through the power of the Holy Spirit and The Father, while on earth. He had fully emptied himself when on earth.  He was fully God, but chose to lay aside these powers, so that He totally depended on the Father and the Spirit to work through Him.  Remember how He spent nights alone with the Father in prayer. 

Luke 6:12 “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.”  He prayed fervently before every decision He made.  In, Luke 6:13 after praying all night, He named His 12 apostles.  “And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

So, even if all the world turns against you.  When you are standing all alone, hopeless, and afraid, “look up, your redemption is near.”  Know the Wondrous Hope of Grace: Jesus the Powerful—keep your eyes, heart and mind focused on Him. 

Our hope of Grace is this . Because Jesus the powerful healer, savior and redeemer of my soul, one day I will be fully transformed. He has guaranteed it with His Blood. I am sealed by the Holy Spirit throughout eternity. from the moment I first knew Him as Savior and Lord, today, and forever more. That is the Hope of Grace- Past, Present and Future. That is the most wondrous Hope of Grace I could ever know.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoyed this poem perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

Previous

When I Feel So Lost, Alone-A Poem

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.