Tag: hope

Poetry Sunday Out of the Darkness, I hear Your Love Song

This Christian Pilgrimage will always be laden with mountains and valleys deep.  We can rest assured that God has a perfect plan that will guide us along the way.  Sometimes in the evening hours, I may feel defeated by the day or discouraged by my own heart’s foolish desires.  Yet, this I know.  God is everyday and every night about the task of perfecting my heart so that one day, I will be His Radiant, Unblemished Child.  Then, I will fully understand the depth of His love and be filled with the fullness of His Joy.  For now, I stand firm; clothed in the Righteousness of Christ.  Last night as I went to bed, I had no song to write.  As I whispered a prayer before I went to sleep, I asked God to send me a new song by morning break.  I awoke with these words playing in my head.  He is an Amazing Father.  He is my fountain of Joy in the deserts of my heart.  He is my Greatest Treasure and the Love of my Life.

In the darkness of night

Out of the Darkness, I hear Your Love Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

I gazed at the world, such sorrows abound

The tragedies, trials which seem to surround

I looked deep in my heart where sadness I found

From foolish desires and dreams so profound

Like smoldering flames upon desert ground

That burned into ashes and scattered around

I whispered then softly a cry with a prayer

A plea sent resounding throughout the night air

“Forgive me, I know this foolish heart of mine

Sometimes does tend to moan and to whine

I truly do wish my heart could be free

To Love you, My Lord as You have loved me.”

I did not then wait to hear your reply

As off to my bed I did go with a sigh

 

Then Out of the darkness I hear your love song

Erasing my sorrows from all I’ve done wrong

Enwrapped by your presence I know I belong

My frail, broken heart began beating so strong

For You are the Joy for which I so long

“Oh love of my life, stay here by my side

My Savior, My Lord in your grace I abide

Lying here in my bed, tightly tucked in your arms

I drift back to sleep safe from all of life’s harms”

 

And then I awake, to face a brand new day

Restored by your love, I bow down to pray

“Oh let my life song be a tribute to you

A light in the darkness the world now to view

How your Mercy and Grace did my heart now renew

From the ashes of sorrow, a garden you grew

Like Rivers and fountains of Joy in my heart

Bringing life to this desert-a fresh brand new start

Oh, Thank You dear Lord for all that you’ve done

But mostly I thank you for Your Precious Son.

The perfect reflection of all that you are

My Savior, My King, My Bright Morning Star”

[bctt tweet=”Never be afraid to lay your burdens, fears, & frailties at the foot of the cross every evening “] [bctt tweet=”You will be awakened by God’s Gracious Love and Joy will be yours in the morning light.”]

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015

Photo used courtesy of Unsplash.com.  I added the inscription.

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.

 

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.

Poetry Sunday-God’s Song of Love

 

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing   Zephaniah 3:14-17

God sings over us    Zephaniah was written to the nation of Israel during a time in which they had forsaken God.  It was a call to repentance as King Josiah reigned.  King Josiah had found the books of the law which had been ignored by the people and upon reading them wept bitterly—humbly He worshipped God and lead the people into a revival.  Zephaniah also preached a revival song in which he declared that God would in mercy call forth a people of His own.  His Love would provide the way of salvation.  The Mighty Warrior who was foretold of is Jesus Christ.  He would come with such Glory and Grace that all who believed would humbly bow before His throne of Grace—their sins forgiven.  The power and the might of my salvation is firmly held in God’s Mighty Powerful Love—He will sing a song of joy over me.  He it is that cradles me in His arms of love.  I can rest assured in His Arms of love through any circumstance.  He will finish all that He has started in my life.  Cradled safe in His Arms of Love, I am filled with Joy, Hope, and Peace.  I hear His voice singing over me His precious lullabye—victory’s song. 

God’s Song of Love

by Effie Darlene Barba


I fell before your precious throne

With broken heart so all alone

My tears were falling like the rain

And then I heard this sweet refrain


CHORUS

I have loved you before the dawn of time

Desired to give my joy sublime

My love held tight

By my own might

Come, dear child, I’ll hold you near

Wrapped in my love there is no fear

Cradled tight within my arms

Safely kept from this world’s harms

I’ll sing my song of love for you

Your hope and joy I will renew


Amazed by grace, my hope did grow

Enlightened heart his love doth know

All fear now gone, I rise to run

For I am God’s dear precious one

As He sang


CHORUS

I have loved you before the dawn of time

Desired to give my joy sublime

My love held tight

By my own might

Come, dear child, I’ll hold you near

Wrapped in my love there is no fear

Cradled tight within my arms

Safely kept from this world’s harms

I’ll sing my song of love for you

Your hope and joy I will renew


So, as I walk this journey here

I’ll love and live without the fear

For I will stand with faith so strong

Because for me He sings this song

CHORUS

I have loved you before the dawn of time

Desired to give my joy sublime

My love held tight

By my own might

Come, dear child, I’ll hold you near

Wrapped in my love there is no fear

Cradled tight within my arms

Safely kept from this world’s harms

I’ll sing my song of love for you

Your hope and joy I will renew

©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.  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.

Does God Really Answer The Prayers Of The Broken And Lost?

Does God Really Answer The Prayers Of The Broken And Lost?

What a wondrous and beautiful morning it is—a moment in which we can reflect on the magnificent truth that is ours because Jesus Christ chose to be born in a lowly manger. He came to bring life abundantly full of joy, hope, peace and love. He promised, “Ask whatever you will in my name and it will be accomplished.”

God answers prayerChristmas 2015 with one of my Granddaughters, Annabella Grace

Yet, as we approach this season; I know of many who only long for peace. For some, there are conflicts within their family or their community. There are those who are afraid to name the name of Jesus because it will cost them their lives. There are those whose minds are filled with anxiety over their finances. Others are facing trials or burdens brought on by their own failures and they wonder if there could ever be forgiveness and love. While others face financial ruin and poverty despite giving their all to a job that was unappreciated. For some, they feel the ache of loneliness; having lost a loved one or having had their heart broken-with the pieces like shattered glass crushed upon the floor. Those may ask, “where is the hope, the joy, the love and the peace of this season or my life?” In the midst of all the broken dreams, how can I pray or believe that God hears my prayer and much less answers them? You see, my dear readers and friends; I too have been there all too often in my life.  For that reason, please read on–let me tell you a bit of my journey so that you might realize the wondrous joy that can be yours.

Continue reading “Does God Really Answer The Prayers Of The Broken And Lost?”

How Should I Pray To Be Heard By God?

How Should I Pray To Be Heard By God?

Over the course of the evening, Jesus had said  three times, “Ask what you will in my name and it will be done” (John 14:13, John 15:7, and John 15:16). We long with all our hearts to know that truth in our own lives.  We pray for peace on earth; yet, we turn on the news and hear of hatred, violence, and terror. We pray for healing of a loved one while we watch them slipping away with some agonizing death—we feel helpless and lost. We pray for prosperity and instead we face sudden financial ruin or the loss of our ability to earn an income instead. Is it some lack of faith on our part that hinders our prayer? Did Jesus mean this to be true only for some and not for me? How can I pray so that God will answer my prayers that way?  Perhaps if  we look closer to each of these scriptures we can gain a little insight into the “how to have that kind of response to our prayers.”

Yes in prayer

John 14(NIV): “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Immediately following, He says keep my commandments and I will send the Comforter to guide you, instruct you and remind you of all that I have said—He will abide in you.

Continue reading “How Should I Pray To Be Heard By God?”