Tag: faith

3 Steps Transforming Doubt into Amazing Faith and Joy

Doubt, fear, worry all seem to be a part of our human nature at times. Interwoven within our humanity there is that part of our brains and emotions that so quickly responds to situations with fear and doubt. Perhaps that is why in the scripture over and over is written, “Do not fear.” God’s way of saying, “I know you don’t understand fully; but, don’t be afraid and don’t worry.” He so gently, so patiently reminds us over and over again. Just like a loving Father who comforts a child; He is constantly reminding us of His presence and His love. He reminds us of His presence. He reminds us of His love. Ever so patiently He teaches us, guides us and comforts us along this journey. How quickly we react to situations at first with fear or doubt!! I know I do and I suspect if you look deep within so do you. Perhaps that is why we so quickly want to condemn Thomas’s doubting; yet, can we? If we focus so much on Thomas’s doubt or “why he failed”; perhaps, we fail to understand the true wonder and grace that faith itself is. Even my faith is a gift of God which He ever so gently prunes and grows within me along the way.

Wait a moment

We know very little about Thomas from the scripture; but, I think we need to look just a little deeper at what we are told about him. Instead of immediately using Thomas as an example of what we “shouldn’t be”; I believe that as we need to look a little deeper at Thomas’ walk to discover what we should be. Thomas is mentioned only as being one of the apostles in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts. Only in John do we get some insight into who Thomas was. We are told that was called “Didymus” which means twin. Four times in the book of John, Thomas’s conversation is recorded. What is amazing is that Thomas is the only one who is recorded as proclaiming Jesus is God. Jesus had been called “Messiah”, “Teacher”, “Master”, and “Son of God”. Yet, we read in John 20:28 that when Jesus stood before him, Thomas said “My Lord and my God.” What were the steps in Thomas’s walk that perhaps we need to look at with fresh eyes, seeking to know the truth. Then, perhaps when we quit criticizing him so much we can actually see the steps we also need to finding a deeper faith when we face life’s trials.

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Can the Right Perspective Make Us Bold Against Tragedies?

Can the Right Perspective Make Us Bold Against Tragedies?

When tragedies come into our lives it is hard to stand up or to move. Despair, anxiety, and fear paralyze our hearts. It is hard to see beyond the tragedy. That seemed to be the case with the apostles that day. All but John were far away as they stood beneath the cross when Jesus died. There stood John, Mary and 3 other women. What next? How would they bury Jesus? Did they even have time to think of that? They were certainly not people of financial means. The body of those that died on the cross were usually thrown into one large common grave.

vision

Out of the crowds came one unexpected disciple that boldly went before Pilate to request the body. That was Joseph of Arimathea. We do not know a lot about Joseph of Arimathea; but, we do know that he was a rich man. We also know that he was a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish legislation). We are told by John that he had been “secret about his discipleship” out of fear. Yet, he boldly stepped forward to request the body so that he could place the body of Jesus in a “tomb that had never been used.” All of this was very important to later prove the resurrection of Jesus. All had been meticulously orchestrated by God. So what in the midst of this tragedy caused Joseph of Arimathea to be so bold and Nicodemus to join him? The keys to his boldness is the same keys that we might hold fast to when tragedy hits our own lives. I want to share with you the four keys I found in scripture that explains his boldness and faith at that moment. The same 4 keys that can help you and I when tragedies come as well.

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One Order Broken and God’s Grace Displayed To the World

One Order Broken and God’s Grace Displayed To the World

 

 

Throughout the Gospel of John it is reported over and over that his greatest desire is so that you will know the truth so that you might believe and receive Grace upon Grace. John saw the awe, the wonder and the beauty of God’s Grace toward man. He was amazed by how God fulfilled every Old Testament scripture that foretold of Jesus. John longed for his people to realize that truth. After Jesus had died on the cross, John stood and watched alongside Mary, the mother of Jesus. Then, what happened immediately next John saw as an amazing portrait of both God’s Sovereignty and God’s Grace to the world. He saw this as so important that he swears to its truth and its power to make you believe. What was so astonishing about this and why did John see it as so powerful a truth?

Sovereignty and grace

Let’s read the scripture first. “31 The Jewish leaders didn’t want the victims hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, for it was the Passover), so they asked Pilate to order the legs of the men broken to hasten death; then their bodies could be taken down.32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus; 33 but when they came to him, they saw that he was dead already, so they didn’t break his. 34 However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. 35 I saw all this myself and have given an accurate report so that you also can believe.[a] 36-37 The soldiers did this in fulfillment of the Scripture that says, “Not one of his bones shall be broken,” and, “They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19).

So what was so amazing about all this?

5 AMAZING TRUTHS

1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL. The Roman soldier had been given a direct order to break the legs. Perhaps the Jewish priests had considered the scripture that “bone would be broken” and of certain they knew that an appropriate sacrificial lamb had to have no broken limbs. Was that part of their desire here? Had they wanted to prove that Jesus for certain was not the sacrificial lamb? Yet, the roman soldier when he looked upon Jesus; did not break His legs. That was a direct disobedience and would not have been in character for a soldier; except that God’s Sovereign Will interceded and the Soldier pierced the side of Jesus where blood and water poured forth. Without knowing a word of Jewish scripture, the roman soldier was fulfilling the Scripture concerning Jesus. Think about it. That is Amazing!!

2. GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE. In Zechariah 12, God yet foretells that one day Jerusalem will mourn for “whom they have pierced.” Jesus in every way was God’s Word made alive and visible. Every promise of Grace fulfilled. “4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53).

3. UNDENIABLE PROOF OF HIS DEATH—this was an undeniable proof of the death of Christ, so that the miracle of His resurrection could not be questioned either.

4. REDEMPTION’S GRACE FLOWED FORTH: The blood of Christ poured forth from his side as most likely the sword pierced his heart. “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelations 1)

5. LIVING WATER POURED FORTH. For all who come to the fountain of living water, we are promised that He will satisfy our thirst. Life Abundant and Rich can be found in Christ.

CONCLUSION: God’s Sovereignty caused even an Unbelieving Roman Soldier to disobey his order so that every scripture could be fulfilled. Isn’t that amazing? More Amazing is that He loved me so much that He took upon Himself all my sin, my shame, and my sorrow so that I might find redemption and life abounding with Joy in Him!! Do you know Him? Do you believe in Him?

The Song I chose for you today is: Oh my Soul Arise

photo is by permission https://unsplash.com/jonathanbean  I added the words.

Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

©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.

What In The World Will You Do With Jesus?

What In The World Will You Do With Jesus?

It was the question before Pilate that fateful night. He was the Roman Governor. It should have been an easy decision. After all, why would he have cared? He had spilled innocent blood before without a thought. He had nothing to do with the Jewish faith or their teachings of a Messiah. Still, there were the tortuous dreams of his wife who warned him “to have nothing to do with this innocent man.” Maybe, since Jesus was from Galilee, he could send him off to King Herod Antipas instead. “Let Herod determine the fate of Jesus” Pilate thought. Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (the one who feared that Jesus was the awaited Messiah and had all the male babies slaughtered surrounding Bethlehem). Herod Antipas was the one who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.

What will you do with Jesus

Herod was fascinated by Jesus and wanted to have Jesus perform a miracle for his own entertainment. When Jesus stood silent and did not “perform” for him, Herod cloaked him in robes and sent him back for the soldiers to beat, mock and torture. With that, he declared to Pilate that it would be Pilate’s problem. Herod saw Jesus as some powerless peasant, incapable of any significant problem. In fact, Herod thought it impossible that Jesus could be “guilty of what these foolish priests and scribes accused Him of.”

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What Do You Do When You Get It All Wrong?

I awoke this morning with these ideas circling in my head.  As I began to write down some of the thoughts; I realized that I needed to share these with you today.  So, I filmed this video for you.

 

4 points to remember when you get it all wrong

1.  It is not about how many times I have failed God.  It is about how many times that God’s loving Grace has searched for me, found me buried in despair, and asked “Child, do you love me?”  “Yes, my Lord, with all my heart!!”, I reply.  “Then my Child, come take my hand.  We have work to do.  The fields are white with harvest.  Feed my sheep.”

2.  It is not about how many times Satan has sifted me and left me like dust on the board of life.  It is about how many times God takes that pulverized flour and makes bread to feed those who are hungry.

3.  It is not about how many dreams I have toward doing things for God—no matter how lofty they might be.  It is about how many times God picks up the shattered pieces of those dreams, then reflects His Glory through them to shine His light upon another soul.  Changing the eternity of another through the shatter pieces of what once was my dreams.

4.  It is not about what I can do for God.  It is about what He can do with a broken heart, and feeble weary hands when that heart has come to realize that He is my greatest treasure.  He is my Joy, my hope, and the love I have so longed for.

So, dear friend; if you think that God can not use you to shine forth His Glory.  Think again.  He loves you and His mercy is new every morning.  I needed to tell you that today.

I wrote and published my book A Broken and Contrite Heart in 2011 which was an in depth look at what do you do when you get it wrong.  Although, I have grown spiritually since it’s publication; it remains a good place to begin or continue your journey of Grace.  Whenever, I forget (as sometimes we humans do); I have to return to that place in which I realized that it has always been all about Grace and Grace Alone.

If you wish to purchase a copy, you may click the link or go to Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com to order one.

If indeed, you wish a copy and cannot afford it; please email me.  Depending upon the response, I will try to honor you with a copy.  Understanding that in the modern book market; I, the author,  must purchase my own books from the publisher. So, as I am able and God permits, I will try to fulfill those requests.

©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 with of course the exception of my own book for which I receive a small commission from Authorhouse, the publisher.   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.