Tag: God’s Grace

Poetry Sunday—Grace So Grand

Do we really understand how great a grace we have been given?  That God, the creator of the Universe, would give His only son to die that we might be saved.  If I truly understand the magnitude of God’s Grace and Love toward me, would I ever be filled with sorrow or despair? Could I ever complain or worry about any of the trials I face here on earth?  It is a grace so grand that reached down to love me right where I was.  It is a grace so grand that continued to draw me closer to Him even when I turned my face to seek lesser things.  It is a grace so grand that draws me still, ever closer to His Side.   It has been God’s patience, love and grace that has gently taught me every step of the way drawing me ever closer to Him.

God's grace and love

Grace So Grand

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

My Lord, How can I understand?

The Grace on which my faith doth stand

A Grace so grand that sought me out

Pursued this heart so filled with doubt

My heart desired for lesser things

Like love of men or diamond rings

And though I did not seek your face

You reached to me to give me grace

How could it be you loved me so?

That on this heart of stone bestow

A love so great it drew me in

And pardoned me for all my sin

Forgiving all that I have done

Redeemed I stand by thy dear son

That died the death that should be mine

So in His Glory I might shine

As beacon of His love so pure

Tis Grace that holds my heart secure

Your grace that drew my heart aside

And bid me in your love abide

Is the same Grace on which I vow

To give you all, before you bow

My life is yours-do as you will

What e’er it takes to this heart fill

With your dear love, to overflow

Unto the world that they may know

It was your Grace that loved me so

Your joy has set my life a glow

Your Grace does call to them to come

Drawn by your love to then succumb

Unto your will, accept your son

And know the life that Calvary won

“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ…of his fullness have all we received… grace upon grace”  (John 1:16 and 17).

©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.

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 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.

Can My Life Really Be A Witness For God?

Can My Life Really Be A Witness For God?

So often, when I look back over my life; I see all the times that I have failed to love God as I should. I see my failures looming like giants and God’s grace as greater still. The other day I heard from someone out of my distant past, who said; “Because of you, I found Christ. You had such a tremendous impact on my life.” Now, what is more amazing, when I remember that time in my life; I realized that it was God’s Grace that allowed them to see Christ through whatever blurred picture I was displaying. Truly, I remember a bumbling, faltering testimony. A candle that barely flickered and a stream that had so little water trickling through it. Through the scars, cracks and crevices of my life the Holy Spirit shone forth and had touched another’s soul. That for me is such a humbling thought; that God would be so gracious as to use someone like me to do His work. So, if you ever thought that you are a poor witness for Christ or ever worried that your testimony would be more of a disgrace than benefit to God? God has promised to be the rivers of life flowing through your heart and mine for others to see His Glory and come to Christ. Why do I say that? rivers of life

 

JESUS PROMISE TO OVERFLOW OUR HEARTS WITH LIVING WATER

Remember that where we left off on Monday, Jesus had quietly gone up to the feast of the tabernacles and had been teaching in the synagogue every day. “37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit” (John 7 NKJV). Up until now in the book of John we have heard that Jesus has said that He is the living water, He is the bread of life and that He brings spiritual birth. He has presented this through His words and through the example of His miracles from changing the purifying water into wine to feeding the crowd. Now He takes this one step further by saying, “Not only will I be life to all who believe in me; but, I will fill them to the overflowing so they can spill over rivers of life to others.”

Continue reading “Can My Life Really Be A Witness For God?”

How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit

How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit

It was late at night as he made his way to Jesus. The crowds had gone home to rest. He was a scholar, one of the elect of the Sanhedrin. He had spent his lifetime studying the scripture; yet, this man Jesus from Nazareth spoke as no other he had heard before. Then, there were the miracles as well. He, Nicodemus, wanted to have a moment to speak with this man who had run all the money changers and merchants from the temple; who had then taught the scripture as no other teacher had ever done. With a tone of great respectfulness as he approached he said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2 NIV).

Spiritually Alive

[bctt tweet=”Then Jesus very passionately responds with the greatest truth that all needed to know. “]This was the greatest message of all. The good news of why Jesus had come to this earth to be the final sacrifice needed to cover man’s sin and to provide the only atonement that can give new spiritual life. It was the only message that could restore a full, vibrant relationship with God. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3 NIV).

Continue reading “How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit”