Tag Archives: faith

Poetry Sunday-LOVE HAS WON THE VICTORY

October 11, 2015 Effie Barba

I do not know what pain or sorrow may fill your heart today. What I do know is that this earthly journey often leads us to believe that love never wins. Broken hearts, rejection, guilt, shame all brought about by a society that presses us to strive harder, be better, and condemns us for not “hitting the mark.” We are performance driven and even within the Christian community too often, we measure people or judge people as though we are better. I remember years of great trials, pain, suffering and fear when many Christians told me that it was my lack of faith or my sin that brought my trials. They did not see my heart; but, God did. I was saved by Grace Alone and every step of my life has been shaped by His Grace and love for me. He has drawn me closer to Him every step of the way.. There were many steps along this journey when I believed that love could never win and joy could never win; yet, now I know it already had won. God’s love had won at the cross. Joy in Him was gained there at that cross. In my earthly journey, did it win as well? Now I have learned that, “Yes, Love has won the victory song and Joy has won”. So, do not lose heart, dear pilgrims. Keep your eyes focused on God and you will see that Love Has Won and Joy has won as well in Christ.

^“28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11)

LOVE HAS WON THE VICTORY

By Effie Darlene Barba

As darkness filled the noon day sky

The earth shuddered and did quake

A trembling as God’s heart did break

As wrath and hate screamed crucify

Christ had come with heart full of love

Forgiveness for mankind to buy

Through all the tears He did must cry

Humbly He left His throne above

It would seem that all was then loss

Their pardon was His final plea

His Gift of Grace for all to see

He bowed and died upon that cross

The Father’s love, it was so great

Awake, my son, arise awake

He called Him forth a new dawn break

Pure Love had conquered death and hate

Chorus:

Love had won the victory

Joy rang forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life that did surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

My heart so filled with darkest fear

Shattered by evil, hate and pain

Falling torrential like the rain

Anguish filling my every tear

Through broken cracks God’s love shone in

He wrapped me tightly in His arms

And there so free from all life’s harms

Forgiveness, joy, and love did win

Chorus

Love had won the victory

Joy rang forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life that did surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

Don’t fall into some dark abyss

With pain and guilt that pull you down

Until you feel that you may drown

Look up to God, In Him is bliss

Chorus

Love has won the victory

Joy rings forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life they do surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

[bctt tweet=”So all you who are broken hearted, don’t lose hope. LOVE WINS”]

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, “mountaintop experiences in the valley” and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

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.

Christian Blog

5 Reasons Why the Pharisees Should Have Recognized Jesus

September 28, 2015 Effie Barba

5 Reasons Why the Pharisees Should Have Recognized Jesus

The Pharisees were angry. How dare this man-Jesus heal people on the Sabbath!! Worse even, he tells the man to carry his bed. In their ritualistic carrying out of the law they had added many “traditions” of their own which included no medical practices on the Sabbath and no burden bearing. No one was to write anything on the Sabbath, carry a needle in their clothing, or put out a lamp. Then to add to this “breaking of their law”—He proclaimed to be the Son of God—equal in essence and nature to God. “How could that be?” they proclaimed. Calmly, confidently Jesus proceeds to tell them 5 reasons why they should have recognized Him as the long awaited Messiah. Why is that important for you and for me? As we look at these 5 reasons, let us remember that John very carefully chose what he was recording so as that we might see just enough of Jesus to desire Him, to know Him and to believe the truth unto life.

In this response of Jesus, we can see the 5 reasons why the Pharisees should have recognized Jesus and also the truths of why they did not. Is there any area of unbelief in your own heart as to who Jesus really is? Is there any area of unbelief in your own heart as to the majesty and power of Jesus? Do you doubt that “all things work together for good” in your life because Jesus, Your Savior came to purchase life eternal for you? Then my prayer is that you see His Glory and realize that in Him, you have all that you need.

Continue reading 5 Reasons Why the Pharisees Should Have Recognized Jesus →

Christian Blog

Your True Desire Is The Gift Or The Giver?

September 18, 2015 Effie Barba

Your True Desire Is The Gift Or The Giver?

Jesus had made His journey through Samaria to a countryside and a people shunned as “half-breeds” or “dogs” by the other Jewish tribes. They were shunned because of their intermarriages with gentiles as well as their departure from traditional Jewish faith. Yet, Jesus went to Samaria and indeed the scripture said He “must go”. He had a mission in Samaria to arrive exactly in the moment the Samaritan woman would be arriving at the well to draw water. He went to a group that were outcasts by society and there to meet a woman who was an outcast even in that outcast society. Think about that!!

Jesus purposefully went to Samaria to save someone whom by the world’s standards was the lowest of the low, totally “unworthy” of salvation. Then, He used her to go and tell the other people in the village of the miracle that Jesus, the Messiah was there. She went to tell people who looked down on her and had rejected her. She wanted to share the “Good News”. That was an act of grace. As a result, in Samaria, many came to believe in Christ as the Savior of the world. They heard the Word of Christ and believed. “many more believed because of his own word… Now we believe….for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4). [bctt tweet=”They were saved because they believed in HIM, the Giver of life, the Savior of the World.”]

Continue reading Your True Desire Is The Gift Or The Giver? →

Christian Blog

Why Not Be Discouraged When You Are Planting?

September 16, 2015 Effie Barba

As we left the story in John 4 last, the Samaritan women realized that Jesus was the Savior, the Messiah. With great passion, she left her water bucket behind and ran to tell everyone in the city. An unlikely missionary with a questionable voice; yet, God had sent her. She was a woman whose reputation forced her to go alone to draw water in the noonday sun. She was shunned by everyone and the one that all the town whispered about.

The disciples returned with food as the woman darted off. They wondered why Jesus had been talking to her; but, didn’t ask (as though they believed their thoughts were hidden from Christ). We know from the previous chapters that Jesus knew their hearts. He also knows our foolish questions, doubts, and fears. So, as they returned they encouraged Jesus to eat. Perhaps with a sense of pride and joy that they were returning with a gift for Jesus—the nourishment that He needed. Yet, His response once more puzzled them. Just like you and I so often are. They were focusing on the small picture—the here and now. Jesus was focused on the big picture—eternity. They offer Jesus the food and He replies, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” Well, they immediately begin to whisper among themselves, “Did someone else bring Him food?” Maybe what Jesus had was better? Maybe what the mystery person brought was better than what they had brought? Were they jealous? Were they disappointed? How often do we respond that same way to God? We bring in our tithes or we give up something and we stand waiting for God to pat us on the back and reward us. Have you ever done that? Then to find that God has a different plan?

Continue reading Why Not Be Discouraged When You Are Planting? →

Christian Poetry

POETRY SUNDAY- YOUR GIFT SO GRAND

September 13, 2015 Effie Barba

Faith is a gift from God and to God. Even our faith comes through God’s building it up in us and filling our hearts with visions of His beauty. Sometimes it is through dark sorrows and trials that we become emptied of all the things that we are clinging to; then, with such Grace and Mercy He gives us His faith to cling to.

“

“Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. ”
― Charles H. Spurgeon

YOUR GIFT SO GRAND

By Effie Darlene Barba

As I look back o’er yesterday

So oft I knew not what to pray

Alone I sat in dark despair

Burdened by a load of care

My heart cried forth in agony

My guilt and shame consuming me

You came-Your precious gift so grand

You brought me faith so I can stand

Rivers of life within me flow

Such joy, and hope and love I know

Amazing grace Your love for me

From chains of guilt, I’ve been set free

Glory and Grace so rich, Divine

Into my heart, your light did shine

You caused my blinded eyes to see

My faith in You, You gave to me

A treasure rich and oh so rare

Nothing else could ever compare

And now I know Your love for me

That never fails eternally

To cover me with love and grace

And let’s me see your lovely face

Your beauty then to fill my soul

That by Your Will, I am made whole

“Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.”― Charles H. Spurgeon

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, Ultimate Inspiration as featured today. and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

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.