How to Persist in Faith and Missions

Think of this.  Paul and Barnabas on their first Missionary Journey to spread the news of the gospel.  There was no doubt as to the call of the Holy Spirit on their lives.  They could have comfortably remained teaching and preaching in Antioch. Afterall, they were leaders in that church.  Already having faced the opposition, the church was flourishing.  Surely that was God would allow them to remain, growing that church and teaching them in the faith.  But instead God called them to leave that church and go out into the world.  They surrendered fully to the calling of the Holy Spirit.  No hesitation!  No questions asked! Off they went, embarking on a treacherous journey and leaving the familiar behind.  What gave them the strength to persist in faith and missions, regardless of what treacherous trials they might face?

What if God calls you out of your comfort zone into lands unknown? Perhaps it is merely a new job He has called you to (or even has shoved you into by it being the only open door).  It may not have been what you wanted or what you had planned.  Yet, it is where God’s Sovereign Hand had placed you.  Remember there are no “oops” in God’s plan for your life.  Have you landed in a place where you feel silenced? “Surely God does not mean for me to be a witness here!”, you think.  Still this is where He placed you.  Or perhaps you see the need for ministry but feel yourself to be the wrong person for the task.  You want to; but you feel your faith is not big enough.  How do you persist in faith and missions, when you see your own failures looming?

Paul and Barnabas Persist in Faith and Missions

Continue reading “How to Persist in Faith and Missions”

The Mystery-A Poem

The Mystery

Oh, mystery so sweet, divine

That called me out and made me thine

Before the world was even formed

You chose my heart to be transformed

To one that rests upon thy grace

And seeks to see thy glorious face

 

Your wisdom Lord shines forth each day

Your spirit drawing me to pray

That there amid my sorrow, pain

Your joy within my heart doth reign

While Angels sing their song of praise

Because from death your Son did raise

 

They do not know such Grace Profound

Salvation brings, when lost are found

The wrath that justly had been mine

Thou did upon thy Son assign

The depth of pain He must have known

As wrath for sin poured from Thy Throne

 

The magnitude of riches thine

Poured forth to me, you made them mine

Unworthy though I am to gain

From all the agony and pain

That Jesus bore for me that day

Yet, here I am you bid me stay

 

How can I Lord, ever complain

About the sunshine or the rain

Must not my heart forever sing

A song of praise to You my King

The mystery the world must see

Was there proclaimed on Calvary

 

Even the demons must proclaim

That Jesus is the only name

Who can fulfill my heart’s desire

So willingly I face the rapid fire

Of Satan’s arrows aimed at me

Because You’ve won the victory

 

I will not bow beneath the weight

Of earthly cares though they are great

My eyes transfixed on You, my Lord

Bound heart in heart with one Accord

The mystery the world might see

My joy in Thee shall ever be.

 

In Darkest Night or bright Sunshine

My Faith Held Tight, For I am Thine

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.

Poems PREVIOUSLY

I Am in Christ all I Am Not

The Great Pleasure of His Will-a Poem

If I in Silence Do Dismiss  (A Poem)

But for God, the Sorrows that Abound- a poem

How to Live a Life of Grace as God’s Beloved

ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

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

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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 Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Are You Ever Responsible for Another’s Salvation?

As we continue through the book of Acts, it becomes clearly apparent that we must make God first in all we do.  Paul and Barnabas, called by the Spirit, began their missionary journey.  Every step of that journey was met with hardships; yet, there were the joys along the way.  The great joy known by Paul and Barnabas was knowing that many came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  The mission, they knew was God’s mission, not their own.  Therefore, when people revolted against them, they did not plead or beg with them.  Instead, they would shake the dust off their feet and move on.  This was a symbol that they (Paul and Barnabas) were not responsible for them nor their salvation.  But the question then comes, “Are you ever Responsible for another’s salvation?”

You are called to tell them of the truth of the gospel. But if they walk away and even close the door of communication with you, you must know how to walk away yourself.  Oh, yes keep them in your prayers that the seed you left will flourish one day.  But that will be left in God’s hands and their choice.  In fact, Paul after preaching a beautiful sermon to the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, knew some were saved.  Yet, then there were those who denied Christ, particularly after Paul preached also to the Gentiles who eagerly accepted the gospel truth.

Acts 13: 45-48

Continue reading “Are You Ever Responsible for Another’s Salvation?”

When You Step Forward for God and Satan Attacks

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).  Whenever you step forward for God, Satan attacks. He uses whomever is in their own minds are easily manipulated by the lies whispered to them.    Paul knew this all too well.  Indeed, there was a time that he was used by Satan to persecute the early church.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins Colossians 1:13-14.

 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled. And be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven (Colossians 1: 19,21,22,23)

Paul understood that whenever he stepped forward to preach the truth of the gospel, attacks came.  Satan attacks through people and circumstances. Even some people whom Satan uses think themselves well meaning. They may even be part of the body who are carnal and weak in their knowledge of the truth.

When You Step Forward for God and Satan Attacks

Continue reading “When You Step Forward for God and Satan Attacks”

What Characteristics Really Define a Missionary for God?

The church of God made up of all believers began in Jerusalem (Acts 2).  All who professed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Church (Acts 11:16), sealed for eternity as God’s Child. (Ephesians 1:13). The spreading of the Gospel from Jerusalem occurred through persecution forcing the people out of Jerusalem.  Ultimately it did spread to the Samaritans and ultimately about 10 years later to the Gentiles (although along the way a few Gentiles were saved).  The Church met with great opposition in Jerusalem as the Jewish leaders banned with the Roman Governors, desiring to destroy the church.  Meanwhile, an unlikely church grew in Antioch, a metropolitan multi-cultural city laden with sin. Antioch would become the epicenter of the church.  From there God called out Barnabas and Paul to begin His Missionary work of spreading the gospel to the nations.

What were the characteristics of this first Missionary Church? The church at Antioch was a very devoted, Spirit led church made up of a diverse, yet spiritually united group of people.  As chapter 13 begins, we truly get a flavor for their diversity.  It was made up of certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger (Black), Lucias of Cyrene (Africa), Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1).  Therefore, the leaders of this church were black, white, poor, wealthy, Jew and Gentile.  No discrimination of persons lay within this church.  Afterall, note how even the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, who beheaded John the Baptist.  Hence, he grew up in the household of Herod the Great who murdered the babies in Bethlehem and Herod his Grandson who had just murdered the Apostle James.     Then there was Saul.

Characteristics of the Missionary Church

Continue reading “What Characteristics Really Define a Missionary for God?”