These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3: 15-20
How sad the tragedies of this week which cry out to our hearts. We stand in fear, sorrow, and ask, “God, where are you?” Yet, all who proclaim the name of Christ, think about this: How long have we been complacent? How long have we closed our eyes? How long have we been too busy to pray or to extend our hands in mercy and love? Have we allowed roots of bitterness to grow up in our own hearts? Revival begins with me! If I die proclaiming the name of Christ, let me do so with honor, grace, and love!! But let me not be silent; nor let me be filled with fear or anger!! Let me stand with love, grace, mercy and truth on my lips proclaiming the truth that our only hope as a nation, as a people and as a world is to stand firm in proclaiming the name of Christ as the only hope for all nations. It begins with ME!!
IT BEGINS WITH ME
By Effie Darlene Barba
With all the pain across this land
What can I do to take a stand?
For hope, for joy and virtue too
Oh Lord, to take my stand for You!
There is no hope for truth to reign
While men do use Your name in vain
Their selfish lies Your gospel feign
Our streets now filled with bloody stain
My Lord, I come with heavy heart
To ask You Lord, “What is my part?”
“What can I do? Where do I start?”
I have no strength lest You impart!
For if I speak, they will not hear
Angry, embittered, deafened ear
With hearts of rage and hearts of fear
Until truth and love all disappear
Such bitter rain of dark dismay
“What can I do? What can I say?”
Except on bended knee to pray
To plead You come to heal today
You are the ONLY Hope I know
Where virtue, truth doth overflow
I plead for them, that You might show
Your mercy, Lord to men so low
And let Your victory on the cross
Cover our shame, our bitter loss
Open our ears to hear Your voice
Let peace and love now be our choice
Turn evil hearts that they might see
Their only hope of victory
Is to bow down on bended knee
Pleading for Grace, humility
I cannot see my brother’s pain
While anger, fear within me reign
So, first I come before You now
Clean my heart, Your truth avow
It all must now BEGIN with Me
So, open now my heart to see
My selfish heart, my guilty stains
Let truth and mercy fill my veins
That I might boldly go proclaim
That if each one would call Your Name
And lay aside their selfish pride
Your peace and love could then abide
Our freedom, liberty renew
Our torch of hope for all to view
And so Dear Lord, I clearly see
Revival now, begins with me.
I plead with each and every person that hears my voice to in humility bow your knees before the throne of God and pray for our nation. Pray that He reveal to you the sins, doubts, bitterness, and pride that lies within your own heart; so that you might repent and be cleansed. Lay down before His mighty throne any root of bitterness in your own heart, so you might then stand in mercy, truth and love to proclaim His Name to a despairing world in need of Him.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
[bctt tweet=”As a nation we must pray for grace & love to reign in our lives. It begins with me!!” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]I must be responsible for my own behavior!! It begins with my own heart.[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”If I desire Peace, Love, and Grace from others, it begins with me giving Peace Love and Grace.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Let’s start a new movement of hope, love and harmony. “It Begins with ME”[/tweetthis]
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
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. 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.
