Effie Darlene Barba

Comfort ye one another, but how?  When those who are dear to us die or when loneliness overwhelms our hearts, how do we know comfort?  Certainly, this pandemic heightens the despair.  Locked down in her nursing home, mom faded away until the grief overwhelmed her.  What could I do?  Finally, they set up zoom and it seemed for a moment she knew and returned while I read to her a poem written just for her.  Then, I knew.  Mom, our great prayer warrior needed me to place her on comfort care only.  Her fight here was over quickly and on her last day, my son was allowed in to sit with her a while.

We hear all the noise around us, clamoring for our hearts to be drowned in the sorrow, anger, fighting, and pain.  But the truth is:  God is Sovereign.  He is on His throne.  No President is ever elected outside of His will.  We who know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord can know comfort, though the world around us is raging.  That does not mean, I isolate from the world.  Rather, I must vote in this election.  Furthermore, I must stand firm in the truth of the gospel, rejoicing in Him though my heart is breaking in despair.  I can rest in knowing His unfailing grace.  He is on His throne and for that reason alone, my spirit can take refuge.  My heart, though broken, can rise to soar like the wings of eagles.

My refuge, my strength and my hope are firmly held in His right hand of righteousness.  I know comfort in such a time as this because I know Him.  That was true in Isaiah’s days and it is true today.  Therefore,

Know Comfort, Thus give comfort

Continue reading “How to Know Comfort in Such A Time as This”

Sometimes, we must just stop and soak in the Words of the Lord.  Recently my soul and spirit have felt parched, dry, wanting.  Particularly, as I see all that is around me.  Worse, if I listen to the rumble from the news.  At times it would seem unbearable.  Perhaps like Jeremiah, I cry forth “When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me….. Oh, that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 8:18,9:1).  Deep within my heart bleeds for this our nation; yet, this I know.  Without the people turning to God, repenting of all their sins; only judgement can come.  I do not know the answer; but I do trust God. Therefore, I await one day not too far away.

His mercy is such that He waits one more day that one more may be saved.  He too endures the sorrow, knowing that for all those who come to Him will know His peace.

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:2-4)

Yet, I face each day; because I see those bright moments in which daily, He pours forth His rich blessings on me.  The acts of love, kindness I see around me.  I have seen His miraculous hand protecting and guiding.  His arms of love reaching around me, even when I feel so sad or alone.  I am not alone, for He is with me.

God’s Reply To Jeremiah

Continue reading “How to Await One Day Not Too Far Away”

Studying the book of Isaiah, we recognize God hates sin because it separates us from Him.  There were many false prophets in Isaiah’s time.  The ones who led the people astray while professing themselves to be righteous.  The same is true today.  Many profess to be Christians, who have never bowed down to the authority of Jesus Christ in their lives.  They teach a watered-down feel-good religion devoid of truth.  Then there are the politicians who profess their acts as seeking justice and righteousness, while spewing hate and venom.  And the secular humanists who impart ideas that humanity is its own god, needing no other, while developing egotists with no conscience of right or wrong.  And the socialists who enchain the people by promising everything for free. So, how do we really discern who are the evil prophets?

It is not enough to just say, follow God’s word unless we learn how to rightly divide the word of truth.  With so many voices proclaiming they know the truth, how can we discern what is right and who are the evil prophets sent to confuse?  Peter and Jude describe these false prophets who bring confusion in detail.   But how do we discern?

Paul warned Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

Therefore, if we hope to discern who are the false prophets, we must study God’s Word.

A Call to Righteous by Faith and Grace

Continue reading “How to Really Discern Who are the Evil Prophets?”

How are we absolutely certain God will Judge Evil?  We know that all that He has said in the old Testament, He did fulfill.  From the days of Noah to Sodom and Gomorrah, He did just as He said in judging evil.  Throughout the time the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and their ultimately release, He just as He said He would do.  Then during the long passage through the wilderness.  He did exactly what He said He would do in judging evil both within His people and those nations opposing them.  Never was there a time that He did not fulfill all that He promised—both in judging evil and in preserving and saving the remnant who believed in Him

 

Therefore, we can be absolutely certain God will do all that He has foretold in the future as well.  We can rest assured in His unfailing Word of Truth.  All the prophecies came to be fulfilled exactly as foretold, apart from those which are yet to come.

 

Isaiah 28

 

 At that time^[l] the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will become a beautiful crown
and a splendid diadem for the remnant of his people.
⁶ He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions,
and strength to those who defend the city from attackers.^[m]

The Lord Will Judge Jerusalem

¹⁴ Therefore, listen to the Lord’s message,
you who mock,
you rulers of these people
who reside in Jerusalem.
¹⁵ For you say,
“We have made a treaty with death,
with Sheol^[ac] we have made an agreement.^[ad]
When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by^[ae]
it will not reach us.
For we have made a lie our refuge,
we have hidden ourselves in a deceitful word.”^[af]
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord, says:

“Look, I am laying^[ag] a stone in Zion,
an approved^[ah] stone,
set in place as a precious cornerstone for the foundation.^[ai]
The one who maintains his faith will not panic.^[aj]
17 I will make justice the measuring line,
fairness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away the unreliable refuge,^[ak]
the floodwaters will overwhelm the hiding place.
¹⁸ Your treaty with death will be dissolved;^[al]
your agreement^[am] with Sheol will not last.^[an]
When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by,^[ao]
you will be overrun by it

 

Absolutely Certain God

 

Just as it was for Jerusalem’s destruction due to evil, so shall it be that He will return to bring judgement upon the whole earth as it is written.  We can be absolutely certain God will judge humanity for their choices to worship the creature rather than the creator.  Not because He is cruel.  Rather He knows how utterly destructive their own worship of the creature is.  He knows that joy, hope, peace, and true love can only be found in Him.  After all only He can fulfill every need that we have.  He created us and knows each intimate detail of what can bring us true joy.  Wanting the best for us, He willing sacrificed and endured all our foolishness so those who would choose Him could know eternal life filled with His Glorious love and joy forever.

 

²² So now, do not mock,
or your chains will become heavier!
For I have heard a message about decreed destruction,
from the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies against the entire land.^[aw]
23 Pay attention and listen to my message.^[ax]
Be attentive and listen to what I have to say!^[ay]

²⁹ This also comes from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom.

Concluding Thoughts

 

What was true then, remains true today.  Though all may look like chaos and all seems to be lost, God will accomplish His plan.  We can be absolutely certain God will bring judgement against all the evil.  The remnant of believers will be redeemed. And we shall be with Him eternally in a new heaven and new earth where no sin has touched it.  Hold on, keep the faith, and tell everyone you know, “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  In Him is fullness of joy evermore.  So, again, Hold on, He is still on His throne and this is but a moment in time leading to the promised land.

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

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Previously

I Seek You Lord In the Darkest Night

 

How to Find Perfect Peace in Chaotic Times

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. 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

Photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash

New King James Version (NKJV)

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

I seek You Lord

 

I seek You, Lord in the darkest night

And wait upon your dawning light

I rest now in Your perfect peace

At Your command, the storms will cease

 

Submitted to thy will I rest

Knowing for me You choose Your best

And though I may not always see

Your Grace and Love they carry me

 

My rock, my fortress in the storm

Wrapped in Your arms I am safe and warm

Those icy arrows aimed at my heart

Your breath, they melt and fears depart

 

As nations rise and nations fall

While prideful people snub Your call

With blinded eyes they do not see

Your Glory, Grace, and Majesty

 

And when Your grace shine forth so bright

They choose the darkness, not the light

When judgement comes for evil deeds

They curse You Lord while Your heart bleeds

 

They are the only ones to blame

For all the evil and the shame

They spit upon Your lovely face

Your hand still stretches out with grace

 

They think themselves wiser still

Professing they are the righteous will

Oh foolish ones who cannot see

Destruction is their destiny

 

And though the darkness doth surround

I pray dear Lord Your grace abound

You are my joy, my hope, my peace

My trust in You will not cease

 

I seek You, Lord in the darkest night

And wait upon your dawning light

I rest now in Your perfect peace

At Your command, the storms will cease

 

Submitted to thy will I rest

Knowing for me You choose Your best

And though I may not always see

Your Grace and Love they carry me

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

 

 

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. 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.