PTL!!! Much may be said about this following post and I'm not the least concerned. It was written three days ago and I've been at turmoil with the LORD over publishing it. Here it is, so you know who won! I just pray those that read it are ready for it! May all be according to THY will and not mine LORD!!!
Praise the LORD!!!
Much thought should be put into today's reading, for it is one of major importance and one, I'm sad to say, least practiced. I know there will be many that say they don't fall into this group that I'm talking about, but truly I think we all need to think again. Not just a topical thinking either, I'm talking about a deep down HOLY SPIRIT involved 'heart' searching!
1 John 3:16,17
16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"
Many Christians believe they show love heavily within their lives. They say they are always showing others that they love and care about them. Now this may be true with some, but truthfully, not for the majority. That is why I made the statement that "I was sad to say..." Truthfully I am, because so many that say they truly show love for their fellow man, really only show it to those they know well. When it comes to someone that they don't know very well, or worst yet, a total stranger, the percentage drops off drastically.
Now many of you that follow me know of the trip I made last year down here to Texas. The one where I was walking, with all intents to walk the whole distance if need be. If you've not heard this story, you can find it in my other blog, "Blogs from the Vine." There are also plenty of comments at the ministry website as to this trip also, so there is no lack of information for one to find, if they want. This though isn't the purpose of this article and I'll proceed to it. In the past several months I've been experiencing some rough times with the current computer system I have to work with. I've made plenty of statements as to the facts about my intents for the ministry and all the future plans for it. I've made no attempt to keep anything a secret. From my past to my present, every fact has been laid out for all to see, but without going into too graphic of detail. You know I am a Christian and there are limits on that which I will say or even write about, this in the ideal of keeping it as decent as possible and still being able to get the message across.
I've made plenty of references to the needs of the ministry and myself. Though not directly making the statement that I need your financial assistance or something along those lines. I've always said, since the inception of this ministry to the public eyes, that I'd not be like the rest, and be constantly talking about your sending the ministry money and I haven't to date. Though I have made a few appeals to people indirectly, that there are growing needs for the ministry and they need to be met. I kind of thought that people would listen to the LORD when HE stirred their heart strings to help us out, but it surely doesn't look like it. To date, I've received not one red cent and not a single item has even been donated, either. Though I have had a few that made the statement that they would, but nothing yet has ever arrived.
The apostle John, the apostle that JESUS loved, in our verses points out the degree which Christians are to love others. These, not even those of the Christian family (all believers), but total strangers. We're to be willing to go to the point of laying our life down for them, just as JESUS did for us! Now I'm not sure why there is this seemingly big gulf between what we're supposed to do and that which we do. But it is plain to see that there is a big problem within the church today. There are too many Christians that say they act out the love of CHRIST within their lives, but there sure seems to be very few out there on the frontlines fighting the battles against hunger, homelessness, even preaching the GOSPEL to the lost. Why is it that you're more likely to see Jehovah Witness' out preaching door to door then you are mainstream Christian?
Why is it that the secular groups like the Red Cross were the first to get out word about the earthquake in Haiti and their need for donations to help these people and they got it, billions of dollars were donated. Now I don't know if you know the past history of these groups, but more of their money goes to operational expenses then actually goes afield to help those in need! Now I know there will be those that disagree with these statements, which there always are, because so many believe that which they hear on the TV or in the newspaper, the propaganda shall we say. Well I've done research on a lot of these big groups, and their figures don't quite match up with that which is posted, and the reports from the field, from those people that were supposed to be receiving the help, even worse. So how is it then, that other groups that promise to change these practices within their operations, never see no where near what these others receive? All the figures and facts can be found on the internet if one is willing to spend a good bit of time doing a lot of searching. I spent nearly two months checking out about a half dozen groups and ministries, using information from the top charity reporting groups, right down to people that lived in the actual areas where disasters had taken place. This is the major reason VCM is being led to be totally different.
For too long, to many organizations have operated under the pretense of loving their fellow man. When in all rights they only love filling their own pockets with the proceeds of their fundraisers. Some of these groups operate under the associations of being "Christian" and seeking to spread the GOSPEL through their efforts. Yet when viewed carefully, from varying directions, it can be found that the money they take in goes in other directions from that intended or even reported as going. Yes, there are "Christian" groups lying about where their funding goes and using it to enlarge other areas of their ministries. I'll not mention names, but please know, I regret having to make that kind of statement. No because of being called judgmental, because I'm not, but because of the fact that it is true and these Christians will have to stand before the LORD someday and explain why this was!
VCM and VMNI will operate with all our accounts open for all to see. There will be more internal pressure to keep these ministries transparent, then there will be outside. The main reason being, we represent CHRIST first and foremost, and everything we do or are associated with is meant to bring glory to HIS name and not one bit of shame. I've made a few statements here in recent times that may be misconstrued as judgmental, believe me they're not meant to be, but they are meant to open people's eyes to the truth. The truth is a double edged sword and cuts both ways, if not handled properly. I've been through enough suffering in my time with the LORD to provide several people with more then they'd like and I'm sure I'll witness much more before I join HIM. But it is time that the CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST wake up and smell the stench that is within it and begin to make the changes necessary to bring it into alignment with the WORD of GOD. Not just superficial changes either, but one's that will open it up to stand spotless before the LORD. Ones that will enable all that walk into their building to know that they will be counted as worthy of our LORD's fellowship and able to hear the "well done, my good and faithful servant," when they stand before HIM soon!!!
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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