Tag: transforming grace

Why Is God Always Working to Perfect Me in Love?

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

God never gives up on me! Think about the impact of knowing that truth. I don’t mean just knowing it with your mind; but, really knowing that truth in every fiber of your being. He is always, constantly concerned with “perfecting” my heart. He loves me just as I am with all my blemishes and brokenness. While at the same time, He loves me too much to leave me there as He found me. Steadily, gently with great compassion and love; He is always about the work of transforming my heart to be a little more like Him. He wants for me to have the best of His Joy, His peace, and His love in my heart. He also knows what needs to be transformed within my childish heart to help me see Him clearer, know Him better, and to comprehend the magnitude of His love toward me.

Perfecting love

About 9 months after I had moved to Springfield, I began to get phone calls from Mom that were desperate pleas for “Help.” She was battling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Each time I would take off, take her to her psychiatrist who would adjust her medications. I arranged for her to get counseling as well. Then, I would return to Springfield which was four hours from Dexter. After about a month of weekly trips, I realized that Mom was not getting any better. Although, she had thought she would be glad when “I and my kids finally left so she could rest;” that wasn’t the case. Now she needed me.

Continue reading “Why Is God Always Working to Perfect Me in Love?”

Poetry Sunday—Transforming Grace

Poetry Sunday—Transforming Grace

God's Transforming Grace

As we have reached our 14th day of the prayer challenge, I pray that you are feeling the touch of God’s transforming Grace wrap you with His love, His Grace, His Joy and that you have seen a touch of His Glory.  If you haven’t found the time yet to join in with a prayer time alone time with God, I urge you to try.  It will change your life—of that I am certain.  Today I hope you enjoy this poem as well.

Transforming Grace

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Transforming Grace, how could it be

That you should choose someone like me

And with one touch these blind eyes free

A glimpse of Glory’s love to see

 

A mind so filled with doubt and fear

Transformed to peace as you draw near

The darkened winding path now clear

As whisper of your voice I hear

 

I cannot fathom why you sought

Someone like me, Salvation bought

That from this rubbish thou hast wrought

A life now filled with Your dear thought

 

So take this selfish heart you found

And with your gentle love surround

That kindness might pour forth abound

And songs of praise the only sound

 

So mold me by your righteous hand

That firm within Your truth I stand

And trusting all that you have planned

Your joy I sing throughout this land

 

[bctt tweet=”A glimpse of His Glory, the beauty of His Creation- Who am I, that He would love me so? Yet, He”]DOES. He Loves me with an everlasting Love so great that He doesn’t leave me where he found me.  He is step by step transforming me.  Ever so patiently and gently He is changing me into a vessel of His righteousness, overflowing with His Love and filled with His Joy.  What wondrous Grace He has shown me.  I am awed and humbled by His Grace.  [bctt tweet=”I HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE IN RETURN FOR ALL GOD HAS GIVEN. HE HAS CAPTURED MY HEART”]

Do you have a poem you would like to share or a story of God’s Grace in your life? You can safely and securely share it by clicking here.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header    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. In fact, if you email him today with the words GIVE, he will give you a 50% discount. Our secret, shhh.   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 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.

4 Reasons God Waits to Display His Glory

The journey had seemed so long and I was tired. Oh, yes; throughout the journey I had watched the mighty hand of God guide my every step. I had watched His grace as it had shown forth in forgiveness on me His child. I had learned of the depth of His love for me. He was my guiding light throughout the struggles—even during the abusive relationships. God had displayed His majesty as He carried me through the cancer and then the ulcerative colitis. So, when they found the mass on the pancreas there was a part of me that sighed a prayer, “Lord, are you taking me home? I am tired. It has been a long journey. I just want to be with you.” That was 2002. So, obviously; God had a different plan to display His Glory to me here on earth. He knew I still needed to learn that He was my joy, my hope, and my everlasting love here. He knew my prayer to go home and leave this world was a cry to leave the pain because I didn’t know how to bask in His joy, love, and hope here. He knew that for me to fully experience heaven with Him one day, I needed to realize how majestic He really is and I needed to learn that here first. I needed my eyes to learn to see Glory first. Steadily, patiently, slowly He has continued His work of transforming my heart so I might see His Glory and His Majesty with greater clarity.

All too often, we are very impatient in our desire to have our prayers answered. We, too often, become discouraged while waiting for God to answer or to fulfill a promise which we may be clinging to with all our heart.

awed by gloryoriginal photo used by permission of Jim Peregoy

Yet, God knows when our heart is ready to see His Glory in the miracle before us; so, He waits. He knows when we will know that without Him there is no hope left—so we might feel the magical awe of watching Him intervene for us. When, all the hope of our own efforts is gone; He can display His might in such a manner that we will give Him all the Glory and hence we will feel the overwhelming joy of watching His love bestowed on us.

Remember the story of Lazarus, Mary and Martha?

Continue reading “4 Reasons God Waits to Display His Glory”

One Step at a Time

POWER-FILLED POSITIVE LIVING-Chapter 19B-One Step at a Time

Where is the power to live a life filled with hope and joy in the midst of so many trials? How do we choose love, when every chose to love leads us to being vulnerable and broken hearted? How do we stand strong and victorious in life’s battles when our scars, each one, reveal how truly fragile we are? Certainly, it is not by my own might or power that I can just proclaim that “I am happy. I am good. I am strong. I am beautiful.” Indeed, when I stand before a mirror and gaze at my own reflection there; I see a body that has been broken down by scars and eyes that have grown tender from having seen so much sorrow in this lifetime. Not the picture of someone who can move mountains.

One Step at a time

Yet, in Christ—because of all that He has done for me and all that He has given me; I can arise each morning filled with Joy, Hope and Love to begin today. The mountains of obstacles may stand before me as insurmountable; but, God only asks I take His Hand and step one step at a time.

Like David wrote,

Continue reading “One Step at a Time”