Tag: God’s Love

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?”

How to Boldly Stand Firm in the Gospel with Love

How to Boldly Stand Firm in the Gospel with Love

There was so much to teach and time was running short. Jesus would be betrayed by Judas within a few hours and He would be going to the cross to complete the Father’s command. He was the Messiah that they had so long awaited; yet, the priests and scholars did not recognize Him. So caught within their own prideful hearts they wanted someone who outwardly appeared more “kingly” by their definitions. They did not want some humble, loving Prince who questioned their authority. They were so wrapped in their own traditions and hunger for power and money that they could not see the truth. They did not really know God despite all the years of studying the scripture. “Remember, my dear friends;” Jesus spoke as He walked toward the Garden, “the world will hate you. It has hated me and because I have chosen you, it will hate you as well.” He continues this conversation from John 15:18 through John 16:3. Indeed, “2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.” (John 16, NIV)

“Don’t let your heart be troubled, you will be hated and probably killed for knowing me as your Savior; but, remember this, they hated me.” Not the words of comfort we want to hear in our comfortable homes here in the United States. If we keep silent, maybe no one will notice that we are Christians!  Yet, if I keep silent as to my faith; then, am I really a follower of Christ? We have heard the stories of Christians being beheaded in the Middle East. We have heard the stories of Christians being targeted, like the Oregon College Shooter who determined his victims by asking them whether they were a Christian. The early church faced imprisonment and execution because they named the name of Christ. Down through the ages of the church there were true followers of Christ who stood up against the “church’s prideful leaders”  These brave preachers of the gospel faced imprisonment, exile and even death by the established church for speaking the truth of Grace.

Continue reading “How to Boldly Stand Firm in the Gospel with Love”

Is There Any Hope for Finding True Joy and Love?

Love—that illusive emotion that every heart longs for. We devote our lifetime in search of it; albeit by many means. Some lock themselves into a world of self-love in hopes to avoid the heartbreak. Some devote themselves to giving themselves away in self-sacrificing love. Perhaps they do find a satisfaction in such; yet, sometimes they too are left with a hunger or hollowness within their hearts when their sacrifice goes unnoticed by anyone else. Hand in hand with our desire for love, we desire respect—validation that we have a purpose. That our life matters to someone, somewhere. When we cannot find that, we fall into desperate despair. We search for meaning perhaps in our jobs, our family, or in belonging. Too often, in our desperate desire to become greater we, in fact, move farther away from love and toward hate. Anger, violence, racism, all stem from hearts that desperately need love. These are the ultimate results of broken hearts in utter disarray with no hope within.

love wins

In these final chapters of the gospel of John, we are intimately brought into the presence of Jesus teaching His apostles and all of us who would one day come to know Him as Savior. With such love and compassion, Jesus wants to teach them the truth. He is fully aware of the agonizing road that lies before Him over the next three days; yet, He wants these to be ready. He knows that the only hope for mankind lies in their finding out the truth about love. “God is love” (I John 4:8). He is the perfection of love as demonstrated in His giving His most prized possession-His Son to die for rebellious, undeserving hearts. He did so because His love was so great and His Joy so overflowing that He longed to shower that love and joy upon us. It was the purpose for which He created us. Love is most perfected when showered upon another. God is that perfect love—first and foremost in His perfect love toward His son who is that perfect mirrored perfection of His own Glory. Jesus is that perfect reflection of God’s own love, joy and righteousness made flesh. God’s very words made flesh. That spirit of goodness, righteousness, joy, and love between Heavenly Father and His Son showering forth in the form of the Holy Spirit.

Continue reading “Is There Any Hope for Finding True Joy and Love?”

Poetry Sunday-My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

Have you ever awoke with a heaviness of heart and really did not know why?  I did that yesterday.  It was as though all that I knew about God’s grace was being attacked and hope was a distant memory only.  As the day went by, I focused on songs, scriptures and sermons.  I remained in a steady and constant state of prayer until the sadness finally left. This journey sometimes would cause our hearts to despair; but, we certainly don’t have to stay there.  There are times when Satan tries to remind us of our frailties or tries to remind us of our unworthiness; but, we don’t have to stay there, either.  Then there are times that we may feel despair because there is something God desires to show us or because He needs us to reach out sympathetically to others in the Kingdom.   Sometimes God allows my heart to despair so that I might write a poem for someone in the Kingdom, maybe you—one that may touch your heart right whedmtas0055re you are today.  I do not know if  you are hurting today.  If so, I do not pretend to know why you are sad or why your heart may be filled with fear; but I do know that the Good Shepherd is singing a lullaby over you as He pulls you free from the thorny brush that your heart is trapped in.  He loves you with an everlasting love.  You are never too far for Him to seek you, find you and save you.  My entire life has proven these 7 truths about God’s love—1. He is faithful  2.  He loves me unconditionally 3.  He is a kind and gentle shepherd who wants to lead me into green pastures of joy, hope and peace.  Those green pastures can only be found in Christ—abiding in His love.  4.  He willingly gave His life that I might find life eternal in Him, through His suffering I might find joy.  5.  He never gives up on me.   He has a perfect plan of love to finish the work He began in me. 6.  No sorrow enters my life without purpose.  That purpose is always ultimately for my joy and for the good of the Kingdom.   7.  It has been His Grace and Grace alone that wooed this heart of mine.

This poem I wrote for anyone who feels despair today.  My dear friends, we all need a reminder sometimes of God’s Grace and love which sings over us with a Lullaby whenever our hearts are heavy.

My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Awakened with fear I do not know why

Struggling to pray, I really must try

Thoughts whirling, twirling around in my brain

Unharnessed they fly, I cannot constrain

Screaming within all the guilt and the shame

I know it’s my fault and I am to blame

Though I wanted to follow, I turned away

I was the one who had wandered astray

I struggled to find a verse from your word

To comfort my soul, a hope to be heard

In the midst of my darkness, sorrow and pain

A soft, gentle sound, a song’s sweet refrain

My shepherd’s dear voice was calling my name

My eyes filled with tears, as nearer He came

Trapped in the thicket and thorns of my heart

I longed for release, a chance, a new start

Chorus

Then the words of His song grew ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

When the sorrows of life cause you to roam

My lullaby song will lead you back home”

 

Forgetting His pain, the thorns He did tare

Until I was freed from that dark hidden lair

He lifted me out from the darkness within

Forgiven I was for my doubt and my sin

Letting go of all else in His arms I did rest

Protected, beloved, undoubtedly blest

He is my dear love, my greatest treasure

Joy that exceeds the lure of life’s pleasure

Chorus

His lullaby song rings ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

[bctt tweet=”Where ever you go where ever you are My Glory will shine as your guiding star”]

[bctt tweet=”When the sorrows of life cause you to roam My lullaby song will lead you back home””]

Has the Good Shepherd ever rescued you from the thorns and thistles?  Or do you have a poem you would like to share?  click here to leave your comment or prayer request.  If you prefer to contact me privately, email me by clicking the contact button below–I will keep you in my prayers always

Above picture used by permission of GoodSalt.com/ Darrel Tank

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.

Poetry Sunday—The Fullness of Your Grace

Sometimes it is important that we stop and realize what wondrous Grace we have been given.   I know that I have been given Grace upon Grace with so much love.

family grouping

The Fullness of Your Grace

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

I thank you Lord for each new day

With all the Grace You bring my way

Through valleys deep and mountains high

You lift my heart that I might fly

 

What wondrous Grace I know is mine

Your glory O’er my life doth shine

And each new dawn awake to see

Your Gracious Love displayed to me

 

Sometimes it is through rivers deep

Or Rocky Mountains, ooh so steep

Your strength and might still guide me on

That I might sing this joyous song

 

And recognize as night draws near

That you have filled my life with cheer

The greatest gift you’ve given me

Was found within my children, three

 

And then you went beyond, above

And gave each one their perfect love

Chosen special by your hand

And then their babies oh so grand

 

That joy was more than I deserve

And yet, for me you did reserve

Such precious friends you’ve given me

That filled my heart with hope and glee

 

As wondrous as these joys are now

They’ll pale compared to You, somehow

When one day soon I see Your face

And feel the fullness of Your Grace

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

[bctt tweet=”I thank you Lord for each new day With all the Grace You bring my way”]

Is there a story about God’s Grace you would like to share?  Do you have a poem you would like to share?  Click here to comment.

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.