Tag: Gospel of Christ

The Greatest Love, I Give to You

 God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:27-29 (NET)

The greatest gift that we can give to another is Jesus Christ; yet, so often we struggle within our world, never really knowing how to present Him.  Society would call us to be “politically correct” so as not to offend another.  Yet, does not love demand that I speak truth.  Sometimes, my own frailties bid me to silence.  After all, when they see all my faltering steps; won’t they think me only a hypocrite.  It is God’s Grace that called me to Himself and not my eloquence nor my own strength.  Having received such a precious gift from God, how can I let fear of failure cause me to be silent?  I must not.  Love demands I speak.  For I cannot truly love you and not share with you my greatest treasure which is Jesus Christ.  So, if today is the last day I ever hear your voice or even if you walk away; I must say I love you too much to not present to you, Jesus Christ.

The Greatest Love, I Give to You

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Throughout the story of my life

My days of joy, or days of strife

God has been there upon His throne

Into my darkness, light has shone

To guide me toward His perfect Will

Though I at times a rebel still

It was His pleasure to love me true

Transforming Grace each day renew

One day I’ll see Him face to face

With tears of joy, Amazing Grace

To think that He would love me so

His precious righteousness bestow

So undeserving that I be

He took the time to call to me

And so, my friend, this truth I know

This love I have it bids me show

To You His truth, His life, His way

And so dear friend, I must now say

The Greatest Love I give to you

Is to stand firm on what is true

That Only Jesus, Lord and King

Can cover sin, Salvation Bring

And though at times my faltering lips

Or stumbling feet, too often slips

I pray that God, in spite of me

Does open up your eyes to see

The magnitude of His love and Grace

That you will seek His lovely Face

[tweetthis]If I truly love someone I must boldly speak the truth of the gospel 2 them[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Even if my lips falter and my feet stumble, I must proclaim the truth of God’s love.” username=”effiedarlene”]

Photo used by permission https://unsplash.com/@kevar

New English Translation  (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

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 to Fight in A Spiritual War of Terror and Despair

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Daniel 10:11-12

Our prayers are heard and God sends forth His angels to respond immediately. Sometimes  because of all the spiritual warfare around us, it may feel to us that the prayers are delayed. But we can be certain, they are being heard and answered immediately! It may take time for the preparation of everything else; but, the answer is already on the way. This was the case in Daniel 10. The messenger angel tells Daniel that he had been delayed while battling demoniac spirits which had been assigned to regions of the world. In the case described to prevent God’s message from arriving to Daniel. Prior to Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to indwell each and every person who accepts Christ as Savior, it was necessary for God to send messengers to His people. Now we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. Yet, we are called to recognize that there remains a spiritual warfare of which we are a part every day.

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When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace?

When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace?

Jesus and his disciples had just escaped being stoned as we ended chapter 8. Immediately, we see in chapter 9 that “as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth” (John 9:1). Jesus was passing by as he was avoiding being stoned to death. He had come to die; but, it was not suppose to be that day and it wasn’t going to be by stoning. His time ” had not yet come.”He had not retreated in fear. He had retreated because it was time to retreat. Besides, He had an appointment with a blind man. He had not gone very far; because throughout chapter 9 we see the discussion with the Pharisees who had wanted to stone Him once more.  Jesus stops when He comes upon the blind man. That is great news!! He comes to us in our blindness to reach out and give us sight; with disregard for His own comfort.  He is willing to find us where ever we are–He seeks us to offer sight.!!

Glory

The chapter unfolds and moves from a discussion of human blindness to spiritual blindness as we will see. Yet before we move to that let’s pause for a moment at the response of the disciples. “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:2-5). The tragedies, the illness, the losses and the trials of this life do not always enter our lives as “punishment for our sins.” The punishment for our sins was carried by Jesus on the Cross. Indeed, until we accept that atonement for our sins; we are like this blind man. We are unable to see the light of the gospel.  Unless we recognize our need of a Savior, our self-exalting hearts would be content in our own accomplishments and counterfeit happiness.  We would not recognize the wondrous joy, hope, love and Glory that we are missing out on.  Would I ever seek God’s truth in a world of blissful beauty? Would I

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