Tag: God’s Joy

3 Purposes of God That Will EMPOWER Your Life

I have so wanted to just sit down and talk with each of you.  If I could take your hand and tell you that in the midst of whatever circumstance you are in, God has a perfect plan of love.  So, I have decided to do the closest thing I can to that for now.  I created this video—this will be my first video podcast just for you.  I have spoken on a subject that I find very dear to my heart and believe that watching it will transform your Christian Journey.  Learning of these truths certainly transformed mine.  My desire is to begin this new year with at least monthly podcasts for you.  I will be open to questions or suggestions as to what subjects we may discuss or explore together.

 

My book, ULTIMATE INSPIRATION, GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE is a more in-depth exploration of this very subject.  I will be giving away one signed copy to someone chosen at random from those who leave comments below.  Feel free to contact me via the contact page above, leave your comments or place comments on my Facebook Author/Speaker Page.  For those who wish to purchase a copy of the book, you may go to http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000465113/Ultimate-InspirationGods-Plan-of-Love.aspx   or at Amazon at  http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Inspiration–Gods-Plan-Love/dp/1477205918/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451747889&sr=8-4&keywords=effie+darlene+barba

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, 2015

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.

How Can Suffering Be The Path To Exuberant Joy?

How Can Suffering Be The Path To Exuberant Joy?

The Bible speaks a lot about Joy—true joy that is found in Christ (Romans 5:11), a joy that will never leave us (Isaiah 35:10) and joy overflowing (John 16: 22, 24). We want that!! Yet, what we sometimes don’t realize is that often it is found through suffering, sorrow and many trials. Our human hearts are born filled with sin. We want to seek happiness and to do it “our way”. Even for those of us who truly seek after Christ as our joy, we fight against the truth that many times our journey to understanding and experiencing real Joy in Christ leads us through great trials, pain and suffering.

FIERY PATH

As a young Christian, I searched to follow Jesus. Little did I know that my journey would lead me through failure, divorce, abuse, cancer, illness, widowhood, single motherhood, financial disaster, pains, sorrows, loneliness, and so many surgeries! Every step of the journey, God was using to transform my heart. He had to deal with my pride, my selfish desires, my self-exaltation, and my desire to prove to Him that I was worthy of the salvation He had so freely died to give me. I could not truly understand that my Joy was in Him alone; until He swept away all the cobwebs hidden in the deep recesses of my heart. He continues to do that every single day of my life. He continues to reveal those dark areas so that they might be cleansed. As He does that, my view of everything changes. He is able to then fill those corners with a vision of His Glory. As I am able to see His Glory clearer, my heart enlarges to be filled with His Love and His Joy. It is an ever upward and transforming change.

Continue reading “How Can Suffering Be The Path To Exuberant Joy?”

Poetry Sunday: Stand Here in this Place

As we walk in this pilgrimage journey of life, we must guard our hearts and minds.  Our joy, our hope, and our faith is embedded in Christ.  Within this world, so many things vie for our affections and fill our thoughts with desires. Yet, God is our greatest treasure.

5Z8QJ8SIHD_thumb.jpgHe is our true joy.  When I lay aside all else to seek Him, I find in Him all that I need.  If truly I trust Him, then I will see His loving, protecting hand in ever detail of my life.  When this journey is such that we walk through moments of sorrows, losses, and dark valleys that would seem to bring our hearts despair; we hear the echoing sweetness of God’s voice calling us to gaze upon Him. [bctt tweet=”Sometimes we must stand still like a baby before God with arms lifted up, our eyes fixed on Him.”]  He is our Joy.  He is the Love that can fill a broken heart to overflowing.

STAND HERE IN THIS PLACE

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Through this journey of life

Midst it’s sorrows and strife

Came the Echoes of You

Hope arising anew

 

You’re my joy, my love song

In Your arms I am strong

When my life fell apart

You were there! My new start!

 

CHORUS

Let me stand here in this place

While I gaze upon Your face

Raising high my arms to You

While all else fades from my view

Within your arms wrapped tightly ‘round

Your whispering voice the only sound

Let this passion in me rise

‘Til it reaches to the skies

Light my heart a blazing fire

Loving You my sole desire

Help me cast all else aside

Content within your love abide

Dear God, Your child to be

For all eternity

 

My heart lay broken, crushed within

Burdened, chained distraught by sin

It was Your Grace that set me free

And filled my heart with joy and glee

 

CHORUS

Let me stand here in this place

While I gaze upon Your face

Raising high my arms to You

While all else fades from my view

Within your arms wrapped tightly ‘round

Your whispering voice the only sound

Let this passion in me rise

‘Til it reaches to the skies

Light my heart a blazing fire

Loving You my sole desire

Help me cast all else aside

Content within your love abide

Dear God, Your child to be

For all eternity

Do you have a poem you would like to share?  When life seems to bring moments of despair what do you do to restore joy?  click here to comment.

Also, yesterday I added the streaming music of songs I wrote; please let me know what you think–keep or turn off–those who let me know their honest opinion I will give away a copy of “A Broken and Contrite Heart.”

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header 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.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Photo is from stocksnap.io

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.

How can it be that God so Loved Me?

It is God’s Amazing Love and Grace that saved me.  I so want to learn to love Him with all my heart, to seek Him with all my being and to follow Him.

broken-and-contrite-heart-ronald-barba

Lord, let me lay aside all else that I might follow you.  Let me sit at your feet until I want nothing more than I desire you.  You, who so willingly love me, who has taken all my brokenness that I might be made whole.  Fill me with your joy, your love until there is none other than your Glory left to reflect back to you.  And  when my faith doth fail me, Lord be my faith that I may not stray from your dear presence.

artwork by Ronald Barba and used by permission for information go to http://www.barba-art.com

Today I wanted to share with you this amazing hymn written by Charles Wesley.

AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN

by Charles Wesley (1738)

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

It has been God’s Grace that endured such evil with great longsuffering so that I might see His Glory, be embraced by His Love, and be overwhelmed by His joy. Lord, take all of me, all my desires and mold them to thy will. [bctt tweet=”Let my heart become a polished mirror to reflect God’s Glory.Whatever the cost, let me follow Him”]

And Can it Be – Dan Bos – Lyrics

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.    Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you.  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

© 2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any 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 regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

I left off with a question yesterday. What if our suffering was a means God uses to bring another person’s salvation; would we see suffering differently?

In Psalms 22, as David prayed in great anguish to God, David presented a picture of Christ. Was David aware that thousands of years later, we would see Christ? Could someone reading those words, followed by Psalms 23 and 24 open their heart to Christ and be saved? If indeed our moments of greatest anguish could be the catalyst that caused one person to alter their eternal destiny, would we be willing to embrace the suffering?

Pete

 

 

 

 

In Memory of Pedro Barba Arroyo (1/15/42 to 7/23/1994)  A life transformed through suffering and pain—Salvation’s story of mercy and grace.  One soul saved to an eternity of joy, love and glory in God’s presence.

 

Portrait of Pedro Barba Arroyo as done by Ronald Barba

 

 

[bctt tweet=”Is the Salvation of One Soul valuable enough to me to embrace suffering in my own life? “] It certainly was for Christ. I have learned it is for me. [bctt tweet=” The suffering of this world, if it endures a lifetime is but a split second compared to eternity. “]

Continue reading “Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?”