Effie Darlene Barba ⋆ Page 84 of 378 ⋆ Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments

How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus

Truth is of the utmost importance. Without it we have nothing on which to anchor our lives nor our souls. When facing questions of life, we need to know what is true beyond any shadow of doubt. Furthermore, of all the questions: that which is most important of all is who do you believe Jesus is? Because on your answer to this one question, hangs your eternity. But how do we know beyond any shadow of doubt that He is the only way of salvation? For that we must take a walk along the Road to Emmaus where true unwavering faith is found. We find there that all of scripture pointed to Jesus Christ. His birth, life, death and resurrection were foretold with such accuracy that no doubt could be left, if only one would study the word of God. No coincidence could account for hundreds of fulfilled prophecies

So many want to say that He was a prophet, a good man, a teacher; yet, deny the truth that He is God and He is the Son of God. Others, even in His day, called Him a blasphemer, a liar, charged Him with high crimes and sent Him to the cross to die. Little did they realize that for this He had come. Oh, yes, they had read Old Testament Scripture; but therein they had not seen the truth of how it spoke of Him. The prophets foretold the truth. He must die as the sacrificial lamb-the final sacrificial lamb to pay the price for our sins. All the Scribes and Pharisees wanted to jump past this vital truth to the day He would come to rule over Israel during the millennial reign. Yet, even in their denial of Him, they unwittingly fulfilled scripture.

The Road to Emmaus

Continue reading “How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus”

When Will We Ever Really Learn God Is ALL?

We look around us at the news of the day and weep. How could it be that we have arrived here? And even more, is there any hope that we might recover from the radical ideologies that demand we silence the Gospel truth to exchange it for some “politically correct” agenda embracing all as truth, making nothing true. When will we ever really learn God is ALL? He is all we need. The truth, the light, and the way to life, joy, peace, and true love can only be found in God. And the only way to Him is through accepting His gracious gift of salvation purchased by Jesus Christ, His only begotten son who died on the cross to pay the price for our sin? Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, equal and distinct. A concept too large perhaps for our minds. One God, yet three.

But are we not like Him in this: body, soul and spirit? So, yes, I look around me at this great United States of America and weep. We, who know God have sat in silence and watched as the Bible was removed from our schools in the name of separation of church and state. Yet, in the name of teaching tolerance we allow the study of other faiths within those same academic walls. Joining hand in hand with the sexual freedom movement, we cast aside all that the Bible would teach us to keep our families together as strong units of faith. Embracing secular humanists’ socialistic ideologies, supposedly based on scientific experimentation; unless the science goes against—then truth is merely relative to one’s own ideas and desires. When all is relative, nothing stands as true. Darkness enters and light is overshadowed by shades of gray.

When Will We Ever Really Learn?

Continue reading “When Will We Ever Really Learn God Is ALL?”

How Marvelous and Great the Grace of God!

Elisha now lay upon his deathbed. He was old and sick. Although, God allowed him to see Elijah transported on chariots to heaven, used him to raise a sick young boy to life, and used his voice to speak to a nation; Elisha would lie upon his sick bed and await death as is common for humans. Even in those moments, he was ready at any time to be God’s voice to the nation. It was there that he told King Joash of Israel how marvelous and great the Grace of God was toward His people. Israel had sinned gravely, repeatedly turning to worship idols rather than God. He provided for them, loved them, and wanted all that was good for them; however, they continuously rejected Him, preferring the lure of self-aggrandizing idolatrous worship. The king did “evil in the sight of the Lord”, allowing idolatrous worship to flourish.

God then would allow His people to be oppressed. He longed for them to seek Him and to repent from their evil ways. Oh, that men and women would seek Him, fully and completely with hearts longing for the truth of the gospel! Instead, as were the children of Israel so are, we. All too often, we seek God only to get us out of trouble or for His gifts of mercy; yet, we do not fully desire Him as Lord of our lives. That was the case with King Joash. He heard that Elisha was dying. The kingdom was surrounded by the Syrians and the Israelite army to small, so the king went to see Elisha. He wept over the dying prophet and pleaded for God’s help. How Marvelous and Great the Grace of God who promised the king victory. Certainly, the king did not deserve God’s help.

How Marvelous and Great the Grace of God

Continue reading “How Marvelous and Great the Grace of God!”

What is the Good Pleasure of God’s Will?

God will accomplish all that He has planned as we see throughout the corridors of time; both in the world as well as in the individual lives of you or me. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6). So, what really is the good pleasure of God’s Will? To pour forth His love, Joy, and Glory upon a people who understand the depth of His love.

That is so clearly outlined in John Chapter 17 as Jesus Christ prayed to the Father on the road to Gethsemane. He clearly outlined the purpose for which we were created. That is outlined in detail within one section of my book, Abiding Steadfast Joy. Therefore, the good pleasure of God’s Will is to pour forth His love, share his abounding love, and to bestow a part of His Glory upon them. For a people or creature to fully understand, revel, and experience the full magnitude of His Glory, His Love, His Grace and His Joy-it was necessary that they be given choice. Just as darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of God who is perfect righteousness. Can someone find joy in light if they never knew of darkness? Or can they long for or desire God if they never knew of life without Him?

In a World Filled with Darkness

Elijah and his successor Elisha lived in very dark times; because of mankind’s desire to seek out a self-made, self-exalting religion that fed their own ego. Instead of worshipping the one true God, creator of the universe they developed “sound good” religions to feed their own vanity. Much like the world we live in today in which there is an invading darkness of mind and spirit which shuns the one true light. Jezebel reigned as Queen alongside Ahab. As Queen she brought in the Satanic worship of Baal wrapped in a pretty package promising power and prosperity to all. Thus, designed to thwart God’s plan. God had already promised Abraham and later David that the Savior, the Messiah would be born from their seed. All would be doomed if that plan could be destroyed.

Jezebel and her daughter Athaliah plotted to do just that! Did they fully realize that they were being used by Satan? One does not know; however, they worshipped Baal and set forth to destroy any worship of God. Determined to even destroy the seed of David through their treacherous invasion into the family of Israel and Judah. Promising prosperity and power they lured their husbands to abandon God. They charmed a nation into idolatrous abandonment of true faith in God to follow ideologies that stroked the egos of men and women. Promising a self-gratifying morality, they led the people to abandon truth. In the name of goodness, evil abounded. Furthermore, in the name of morality, hypocrisy ruled. Sounds a lot like the world we face today.

Attempts to Destroy

All appeared to be lost as it appeared that all hope of true faith in God was being fully destroyed. Elijah nearly lost heart in the battle; because, he had watched as evil continued to spread until he believed he was the only one left that worshipped God. Disheartened by all he saw and frustrated by the people’s failure to respond, he wanted to quit. Yet, God promised him that the Baal worshippers would be destroyed. God would even use an evil Syrian king to help in the matter of destroying the Baal worshippers. Elijah had fought the battle; but, would be taken up into heaven to await a future battle. He named Elisha to carry the burden for a time. Jehu was named King of Israel and chosen to destroy all the Baal worshippers in Israel as well as King Ahaziah of Judah.

King Ahaziah had followed the biddings of his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel by promoting Baal worship. Upon his death, Queen Mother Athaliah sought out all the male descendants (her grandchildren) to kill them so she could continue the reign. She had controlled her son Ahaziah; however, did not have the same influence over her grandchildren. Had she succeeded, there would be no heir of David to carry on the lineage to Christ Jesus. Thus, the plan of salvation would have been destroyed and Satan would have won. Yet, one baby was carried away to safety. His name was Joash. Even in what appeared to be the darkest of times, God provided a way. The good pleasure of His will, to bring salvation to the world could not be thwarted; although it appeared nearly all had turned away from Him.

The Good Pleasure of God’s Will

The world at present may appear to be confounded. Confusion, chaos has bred anger, bitterness, pain, and despair. In the darkness, we long for light to shine forth. Our eyes search heaven and wonder why God would tarry. Has He grown silent against the spread of evil? Yet, we KNOW that is not the case! He is awaiting the fullness of time when the last child whom He saw before the foundations of time comes to know Him. That is His abounding love for each one. And to all those who choose to turn away from His voice of love, “their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

The Good Pleasure of God’s Will is that all might come to know Him; yet, the sad reality is that men and women desire their own self-exaltation and gratification more than God who created them in love. Choice was necessary that they might fully experience and know Him in all His glory. I could not know of justice if my eyes never saw injustice. Would I know the sweet loving grace of God, had I never known what it was to deserve His wrath instead? I cannot fully see His Righteousness, until I can see my own unrighteousness. Then as He takes me fully into His Arms to make me His Princess because of the blood of Christ, I feel overwhelmed by His love and my heart sings forth a song of praise.

Concluding thought:

So, my question to you is this: Do You Know Him As Savior and Lord of Your Life? Or are you one whose foot with slide, destined for destruction because you chose to deny Him who loved you with a perfect love?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: 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.

ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts comment here

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written. Then, please click on this link to discover a world of Book Resources.

Or you can find all my books on Amazon.com, search just by searching Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore, for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Previous Posts in This Series on Elisha

God Will Complete the Good Pleasure of His Will

What is the Terror and Despair of Desiring Power?

Do You Know All Things Work Together for Good?

What if Desperation Leads to Life and Joy?

Moralizers so Blinded to God’s Truth and Their Guilt

Do You Really Know God as Omnipotent, Omniscient Lord?

Does God Really Care About the Little Stuff?

How Can Someone So Close Not Know God?

Can a Missed Opportunity Leave a Nation to Fall?

One Unlikely Believer and the Grace of God

Do You Trust God in the Famine?

Is Love Really Worth the Heartbreak?

Are you Really Seeking God in All You Do?

Do You Believe God is Your Provider?

What Can One God Fearing Man Do?

What Happens When We Fail to Teach Our Children?

How to Revive Barren Lands with Living Waters

Who will Carry the Torch for God Against Evil?

What if God’s Work Leaves You Alone and Depressed?

Can You See The Army of God Surrounding You?

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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 Cherry Laithang on Unsplash

God Will Complete the Good Pleasure of His Will

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:7-12

What is the good pleasure of His Will? It is that those who accept His Gift of Salvation might know the Joy of basking in His Presence, surrounded by His love and His Glory! Yet, knowing that without choice, no one would fully experience this magnificent glory; he allowed the darkness that we might truly see light.

The Good pleasure of his will

It was with great grace that God continued to deal with the Israelite nation. Each victory and act of grace shining forth the love and glory of God to them. Yet, their own selfish desire, their pride, and their foolish hearts sought after worldly pleasures and vain idols. Repeatedly, God would reach out to them. He sent prophets and teachers. Yet, their dark, selfish hearts desired only what they desired. Not wanting to surrender to God as Lord over them. Each time they led the nation, their children, and their families away from God’s plan. Sometimes out of the midst of the despair they led themselves into, they would cry out to God for help. Then He would save them. At other times, He allowed other nations to overtake and destroy all but a remnant.

Still, it was the good pleasure of His will that a remnant would survive and march on through the corridors of time to bring forth a Savior. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, God’s very own son came to die and pay the penalty for their sins and ours. We have read of this again in 1 and 2 Kings. Elijah grew weary as he preached the word of God to a crowd of people who continued to ignore God, believing their own “morality” was enough. Yet, in their “morality” they sacrificed babies, worshipped golden idols, and denied the one true living God who called to them in love. Much like our own nation today.

God Will Complete

Worn and weary, Elijah cried out to God in despair; believing there was no one left but he who worshipped God. God then comforted Elijah. He told him that judgement would surely come and the remnant would walk through the trials; but, come forth victorious. Additionally, Elijah was to appoint Elisha to take over as prophet and Elijah was taken home to rest. Although, it will be Elijah who returns to be a witness at the wailing wall and even martyred there when the prophecies of Revelations are fulfilled. All that God foretold to Elijah in I Kings concerning Hazael and Jehu came to pass in 2 Kings 8 and 9. Judgement came to all those who continued in the worship of Baal!

There are times when we look around us and shudder with the evil we see. Furthermore, we look at so many who feign righteousness and moral indignation, yet do not know the truth of who God is. We, like Elijah, wonder if any remain who truly seek God as Lord. Beyond that, we look deep within our own hearts and plead that God cleanse us. We desire that He accomplish all that is His will within our own hearts.

But this we know and may be confident in! Just as He fulfilled all that His will planned through the corridors of time in bringing forth His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, He will accomplish all the Good Pleasure of His Will. Every detail of Christ’s birth, life on earth, death and resurrection were fulfilled just as foretold. The same is true today that He will complete all the Good pleasure of His Will. The victory is won! He will return one day. Judgement will be completed. Righteousness will reign.

Concluding Thoughts

Where do you stand? If Jesus Christ returned today to take His church and reign in the seven years of tribulation, where would you be? Would you be standing upon your own self-righteous ideologies or would your faith stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Therefore, let us pray, “Thy will be done, Lord”