Effie Darlene Barba

Constantly facing the threats of others for speaking God’s words, Elijah had grown weary and depressed.  He went to a cave in Horeb to hide away.  He had been a mighty spokesman for God amid political turmoil and idolatry.  However, it appeared to him that he stood alone in his zeal for God.  God came to him there in the cave and asked, “What doest thou here, Elijah? And he (Elijah) said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left: and they seek my life, to take it away” (I Kings 19:9-10).  What was God’s reply? He told Elijah to go out and stand upon the mount, for He the Lord would speak to him there.

Elijah still weary and depressed tarried.  God passed by.  A strong and mighty wind whipped about the mountain.  Pieces of rock fell.  Then, an earthquake followed by a horrendous fire surrounded Elijah’s cave; but the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, nor the fire (I Kings 19:11-12).  Then came a still small voice. Elijah arose and went to the opening of the cave.  So, deep in his weariness and depression, Elijah was unaffected by the winds or the dangers surrounding him.  He would just as soon to die as to continue in a world that did not care about God’s word. However, when Elijah heard God’s voice gently calling to him; he arose. Once more, God asks him what he is doing there and once more his reply was the same, “I, even I only, am left”.

Weary and Depressed, feeling all alone.

Continue reading “What If God’s Work Leaves You Weary and Depressed?”

In a world of complex problems, varying ideologies, and hostility; how do we as Christians stand firm on God’s truth while remaining beacons of His love?  Some would say we must compromise in order to maintain power to fight against the world.  However, once we compromise on God’s word, we cannot stand at all.  Instead we ourselves fall.  That was the case when the nation of Israel divided into two kingdoms after the death of Solomon.  Rehoboam was the King of Judah (including the Benjaminite) and Jeroboam was King of the other tribes. Afraid that he might lose power because of the temple being in Jerusalem, he led his people into idol worship.  Throughout the kingdoms to follow, God sent prophets to help guide His people. Some would listen, others not.  The Army of God was present to protect them.

The true prophets were often hated by the enemy nations and often by the very people they were assigned to teach.  Yet, in those days, as ours; it was the Army of God that protected those whom He chose.  There is always a spiritual war going on around us.  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Elisha was such a prophet who saw and understood “the battle is the Lords”.

Elisha Saw the Army of God

Continue reading “Can You See the Army of God Surrounding You?”

As we journeyed through the gifts of the Holy Spirit together, I have also been on a journey across the USA.  It has been a very tough journey in some ways; yet, every step of the way I have seen God’s hands of blessing upon my journey.  His timing has been perfect.  When I moved to Orlando in 2003, I swore that I would never move again.  However, since then I was led by the Holy Spirit to move to Missouri in 2013 and now back to Florida in 2018.  Neither time has it been easy to move across the country.  It is hard to leave all that is familiar and those whom you love. However, when you see God’s Hand leading you, you surrender to the Holy Spirit’s will.

I wish I could tell you that means I have faced the conflicts without any signs of frustration or anger.  But then, that would be a lie.  When the surrender requires great sacrifice, our own hearts tend to see the selfish, self-serving nature of some around us. So, how do we overcome that?  Are we like Jesus hate their abusiveness as He ran the money changers from the temple?  Or, rather, are we to reach out with love, regardless of their response?  How do we surrender to the Holy Spirit that our fruits might be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22)?  Yet at the same time we must stand firm on the truth of the gospel.  Over the series, each fruit has been dissected as to how to do just that.

When Surrender Means Confession

Each step of this journey has brought me moments in which I had to examine my heart. All too often, I did not like what I saw there.  Elements of selfishness, anger to those who caused me or my son harm, parts that needed to surrender to the Holy Spirit.  However, each time I found myself there at the foot of the cross.  Never did the Spirit leave me.  God held fast, transforming my heart.  Oh, there were moments when others could not have recognized Him clearly; but He never left me and through it all He continued His work in transforming my heart.  Conflict and conflicting personalities I have never dealt well with.  Perhaps it is due to having spent my lifetime with bipolar personalities, first my mother and then my husband.  My tendency is to waffle between anger and guilt for my anger.

Soon I will be publishing a book regarding those struggles within me that only God’s Spirit can have the victory over. Particularly, when facing bipolar people in your lives.

So, How to Surrender when Facing Conflict and Chaos

1. Remember this is a Spiritual Battle and Only in Christ is the Victory Found. This I say then, ‘Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.’  Galatians 5:16-18.  We who know Christ as our Savior are no longer under the law.  Freedom from the punishment of the law; because, Christ paid our penalty. Furthermore, we are clothed with His Righteousness before our Heavenly Father.  However, the Holy Spirit will complete that transformation in us, one blemish at a time until our own hearts reflect Christ, not merely our outer garments.
2. Each Morning lay your own self upon that cross, trusting God to lead the way. they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)
3. Sow to the Holy Spirit by daily reading God’s word and being instant in prayer throughout the day. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8)
4. Don’t give up; because you failed. Know and trust in this: God will finish the work He began in you.   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

5. It is not about me, my victory, or my glory.

Rather it is about His Glory.  Only God take all my failures, my sins, and my blunders, weaving them into a tapestry that brings Him glory.  God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

God has a lot of work yet to complete in me; but, this I know.  He loves me, indwells me, and I can trust Him through the hardest storms.  Because amid those storms He is ever about transforming me into His image.  My part?  Keep my focus on Him through reading His word, seeking His will, confessing my sin (then forgetting it), praying about everything, and trusting Him to do the rest.  I surrender to the Holy Spirit when I place Christ on the throne of my heart and kick myself off that throne.

1. 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:

    

   What of Gabriel, Mary, and the Promise of Hope

   What is the Fruit of the Spirit Known as Temperance?

   One Fruit of the Spirit: Faith to Overcome Fear

   How to be Meek as a Lamb, Bold as a Lion

   What Really is the Goodness of God?

   A Gentle Spirit in the Face of Contempt. How? 

   What is Patience Really in the Face of Conflict?

   One Failed Peacemaker and a Gracious God

   In a World Divided How Can One Find Peace?

   The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

   Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit Love. How?

   Perfect in Love Oh How Can it Be?

   Is Your Fruit of Love Sweet or Bitter?

   How Does God Prepare the Soil for Growth?

   What Fruit is the Garden of Your Heart Producing?

   ©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.

   Footnote and Credits

Photo courtesy of Aziz Acharki

Gabriel came to Mary to announce that she was highly favored by God.  “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28).  Most of us would wrongly have said, “Yes, God has noticed how hard I have been trying.”  However, that was not Mary’s response. The angel Gabriel came with a Promise of Hope.   Mary was initially troubled by this.  There was in her mind nothing so special about her.   She had honored God in her betrothal to Joseph, maintaining her virtue and virginity. Yet, that was common in her day and what was expected.  To do otherwise would be punishable by death.    But she was poor, from a poor family.  Certainly, in her mind she was not in lineage of a princess or royalty of any kind.

Still, when Gabriel explained that she would give birth to God’s own Son by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, her response was: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38).  Would you or I been so quick to say, “Lord, do with me as you please, that I might bring you Glory.”  Mary would be ridiculed by many; after all, she was expecting child before her marriage to Joseph was consummated.  Even Joseph at first questioned her.  Indeed, in John 8:41 the pharisees slander the words of Jesus by inferring he was born out of an act of fornication.  Mary’s virtue would be questioned the rest of her life. She held dear her reputation, it was all she had. How was that “favor in the eyes of God?”  Furthermore, she would remain in poverty from the world’s standards.

The Promise of Hope

Mary would watch her Son, God’s promise of hope, be ridiculed, mocked, shamed and hung on a cross.  Yet, by faith, she willingly accepted this her lot in life.  What about you or me?  Would you willingly say, “Yes, Lord; ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word?’  Do we willingly say, “Lord thy will be done?  No matter what discomfort or difficulty You may ask of me, I trust in Your Promise of Hope.  Willingly, I lay down all my desires that Your love might shine forth to the world.”   Unfortunately, all too often, we say “yes Lord” only if it means our worldly reputation is held in high regard. Or, perhaps for financial comfort and ease.  But what about when our promise of hope comes with pain, sorrow, suffering, and poverty?  How willing are we then?

Jesus Christ is our only hope of salvation.  He came that we might be redeemed.  The only promise of hope that we have is found through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Yet, if in this life only our hope lies, then we are indeed impoverished with no hope.  This Christmas Eve, stop and consider what God is asking of you.  Are you willing to lose everything that you hold dear on this earth that you might find Him?

1. 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.

    

   ©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.

   Footnote and Credits

   Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Temperance is translated as self-control when one reads most versions of the Bible. However, in the Geneva and the King James Versions it is translated temperance.  According to the dictionary, temperance is abstaining from something especially food or drink.  Perhaps when speaking of temperance we must consider the fruit of the Holy Spirit would be just that!  The abstinence of our fleshly desires of all kinds that we may be Godly.  Indeed self-control, as most versions translate this, still puts it back upon our self to perform it.  However, this can only be performed with the work of the Holy Spirit within us to squelch those fleshly desires that seek to be fulfilled within us.

2 Peter 1: 1-9: Concerning Temperance

Continue reading “What is the Fruit of the Spirit Known as Temperance?”