How to Be a Witness of Light to the World

How to Be a Witness of Light to the World

How can we be a witness to the true light, when we ourselves are not the light? John Chapter 1 uniquely presents Christ by declaring the truth of Christ’s beauty, power, and Glory. John wrote that Christ is the true light of the world. The light that brings eternal life. The word of God—every truth and every promise fulfilled. God’s oath to provide a Savior for fallen man was fulfilled in Christ. The only light that could penetrate the darkened hearts of man is God’s light. The only light that can reach into self-exalting, pride filled hearts to cause them to turn and see the glorious beauty of Christ in all of God’s Glory is Jesus Christ. The only light that can shine so brightly that man can see the darkness of his own sin filled heart and fall before His creator in awe-inspired worship is the light of Christ to the World.

Greatest Light

[bctt tweet=”When God becomes our greatest desire, His Glory will shine through us to light a darkened world. “]

Continue reading “How to Be a Witness of Light to the World”

Poetry Sunday—Because I See Thy Gift of Grace

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Because I See thy Gift of Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

A pilgrim’s journey through this land

Through meadow’s soft and desert sand

Beside the gentle bubbling streams

With flowers kissed by sunlit beams

Or rushing, roaring water falls

Whose beauty gasps and danger calls

Twinkling stars in the dark of night

That guide my way and shed their light

The gentle breeze across my face

Whispering words of God’s sweet Grace

Creator Lord with all You do

Whom else on earth could I pursue

For all I have and all I am

Is due to You—My precious lamb

Who chose to die and pay my price

In You I find my paradise

And now I see through different eyes

This course on earth no more disguise

Its beauties shine, your glory clear

I feel your breath, your warmth so near

To warm the chill within my soul

Like fireplace lit in winter’s snow

You blessed my life with love’s sweet kiss

That hope and joy arise amidst

The darkest trials I may face

Because I see thy Gift of Grace

[bctt tweet=”Surrounded by God’s Grace Love, & Glory. Let my eyes seek His beauty & my ears His Voice.”] Let me each and every day grow to love Him more, seek Him as my greatest treasure, never lose the awe of His creation, and run to fall before His throne of Grace to be near Him.  Dear Father, transform this heart to desire only you. 

Do you have a poem that you would like to share?  Click here to leave your comment or to share your poems. 

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.

Photograph used by permission ©123ref/ Chee-Onn Leong

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

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.”