Tag Archives: God’s Grace

How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit

September 2, 2015 Effie Barba

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).

[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).

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Christian Blog

How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!

August 19, 2015 Effie Barba

How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!

When I entered first grade I was the tallest and heaviest child in my class with one little boy taking a close second. To make matters worse, I had a speech impediment that was quite obvious. Academically I excelled which did not add to my popularity in any way. By second grade, I felt the sting even greater regarding my weight; although, my speech had been improving from regular trips to speech therapy. There was one incident that will forever stand out in my mind. As we went out to the playground with a jump rope, one pretty little girl named Kay shouted, “Pretty first, fat last”. I had become accustomed to being the one never chosen. Then amazingly, a little girl named Toni said, “Pretty is as pretty does, Darlene goes first.” What? Someone had seen me inside/out and had chosen me? That was a day I would never forget.

“GOD KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME, EVERY THOUGHT AND EVERYTHING I WOULD EVER DO; YET HE LOVED ME WITH HIS UNCONDITIONAL PERFECT LOVE. WHAT WONDROUS AND AMAZING GRACE!! HOW COULD I EVER GIVE HIM LESS THAN ALL MY LOVE AND ALL OF ME?

[bctt tweet=”What is SO amazing!! God knew me inside and out; yet, He still chose me to be His child.”]We know very little about Nathanael as he is mentioned only twice in the Bible. He is mentioned in the first and the last chapter of the book of John. Yet, if we look at the story of Nathanael, we see that his story is very important to each and every believer. Christ saw Nathanael inside and out; chose Nathanael and that forever changed Nathanael. Let’s look at the story.

Continue reading How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!! →

Christian Blog

What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin?

August 14, 2015 Effie Barba

What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin?

I just returned from a trip to visit my daughter and her family. It had been a season of great difficulty for her. She had recently lost her step mother to cancer and then she had gotten sick with chicken pox. With all that, I went to see if there was anything I could do to comfort her. I was met with such grace. It had been almost two years that I had not seen my daughter and granddaughter. We never failed to talk on the phone a lot; but, I had not wanted to be “in the way” as she cared for her step mother during the prolonged illness. The trip was filled with so much of God’s grace. My daughter got well quickly. My granddaughter was an utter delight as we did so many things together. God’s grace shown through as my granddaughter displayed her own knowledge of God through her writing and talk. What wondrous grace toward me has God displayed over the years!! Not because of anything I have ever done to deserve it. I who stumbled and fell so often along this journey. Me, the one who searched for love without realizing that God was all the love this heart needed. Had it been pride so long ago that led to my divorce from Miguel (Melissa’s father)? Yet, even after that, God’s grace had blessed me with my sons through my marriage to Pete. God’s grace had led Pete to Christ before Pete’s death. God’s grace had carried me through the cancer and all the other illnesses that followed. It has been grace that carried me every step of the way. Pure, undeserved Grace has been given me from a mighty and wondrous God.

[bctt tweet=”When Grace upon Grace meets with the truth of my sinful Heart-Grace Wins!!”]

We have been looking at the gospel account as written by the Apostle John. So far, we have seen that he presents Christ as The Word—the only Word that matters. The word of God which is also God Himself. John then presented Christ as the light of the world. The only true light that can penetrate the darkness of man’s heart. Thirdly he presented Christ as God’s Glory Displayed. All the fullness of God’s Glory could be seen in Christ. Next John writes, “¹⁶And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for (upon) grace.¹⁷For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1).

Continue reading What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin? →

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday: Natalie’s Song

August 9, 2015 Effie Barba

I have been so amazed by God’s wondrous grace in my life. He has blessed me with gifts overflowing, so much more than I ever deserved. He gave me children and now grandchildren that are so precious, loving, and kind. What is more amazing is how I have watched His Grace reach out to teach each and everyone of Himself. It has been His Grace that lead them to a knowledge of Him. “⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.⁹He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.¹¹For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.¹³Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.¹⁴For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.¹⁷But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103)

What Amazing Grace toward me that He would bless me with the time I have spent with Natalie, my granddaughter. I hope you enjoy this song for her.

Natalie’s Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

The twinkle in her deep brown eyes

The smile that lights her face

Her words at times so deep and wise

With gentle touch of grace

She laughs and plays with awe struck joy

The wonder life does bring

With Emmy, Sophie or a toy

Her heart with joy does sing

You blessed her Lord with Mom and Dad

A special pair indeed

Safely in their love she’s clad

While gently they do lead

As I bow my head today

To seek your presence, Lord

I ask you guide her heart to say

“God is my true reward”

CHORUS:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

Lord I ask you guide her steps

As only you can do

When journeys lead to valleys depth

Or mountains come in view

Hold her in your loving arms

To wipe away each tear

Protecting her from all life’s harms

And drive away each fear

Let your joy so fill her heart

With love for your dear son

Through faith and hope that you impart

Her victory has been won

CHORUS:

Lord, I ask for one more thing:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

[bctt tweet=”The greatest gift that I can ever give my grandchildren is to point them to Christ.”] [bctt tweet=”Oh, Lord be gracious once more to me and let my life reflect you.”] [bctt tweet=”Without your guiding hand and your love, Dear Heavenly Father, I can do nothing of worth.”]Continue with your amazing grace as you touch each of my grandchildren and lead them to a saving knowledge of you as they each reach the age of understanding.

Do you have a poem to share? Or a story about your children or grandchildren? I would love to hear from you. Click here to leave your comments.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. 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.

Christian Blog

Amazing Grace as Seen by the Eyes of a Child

August 7, 2015 Effie Barba 2 Comments

Natalie is my beautiful granddaughter. While visiting with her this week, she told me that she loved to write. She is six years old and getting ready to go to first grade. So, when she told me how much she loves to write, I told her that if she would write a story about anything she wanted to I would use it on my website. I told her she could write about her most loved memory, her favorite pet, or anything she wanted to. She said ok, sat down and began to write. She kept turning pages and writing again. I thought she was having trouble deciding what to write. We left to go off on an adventure in the park before I could read what she had written When we returned my daughter handed me the pages that Natalie had written and as I read I was in Awe. Little had I realized that she was really writing her own 8 page book. A book that spoke volumes in only a few words. I typed the words at the side incase the pages are a little hard to read. I hope you enjoy this her first book.

evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord!

for he is our father

Praise the Lord

because he made us!

Praise the Lord! because he died on the cross for us

he Did it for us he did it for us

When he died on the cross

he let us free free!

he understands us from all the way up thare!

he loves it he loves you

The End

[bctt tweet=”There was nothing left to say, I sat in awe of God’s Grace as revealed through a child’s eyes. “]

[bctt tweet=”She wrote, evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord! for he is our father I say Amen”]

“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:15-17)

Do you have a story about how God has amazed you through the words of a child? I would love to hear from you. Click here to comment.

I hope you enjoy the song I chose for you today. Jesus Loves Me