Praise the LORD!!!
Anyone whom is familiar with me and my post, either through reading of my book(Out of the LIGHT), the ministry, or just my post in general, will know that my life revolves around "Praising the LORD!!!" This is far from an easy practice to maintain, for the greater one lifts their voice in praise unto the LORD, the greater will be the attacks of the adversary allowed.(Yes, allowed! For satan must ask GOD's permission before attacking Christians!)
An example of this, that I will give for you to ponder the implications of, was when I was baptized in prison back in '06.' Upon coming up from the water, I began to praise the LORD and thank HIM for HIS blessings upon me. All was well for a week, until I was escorted during count time (9 PM) to the main office. Now this was no ordinary escort, there were two officers and a lower ranking guard taking care of me. Normally, most things will wait until after an official count and I'd yet to witness an escort of such rank being involved.
Upon being taken into the office I was greeted by the Chaplin and this really got my attention. She first asked me how things were going. To which I answered, "blessed." Then the hammer fell. She told me that there had been an car accident involving my family and that my step-daughter, April (12 yrs. old) had been killed in it. The first words out of my mouth were "Praise the LORD!!!" Well, you'd of thought I'd just given those three this same tragic news, for it sounded like the air within the room had suddenly been sucked out. The Chaplain's mouth dropped open and I turned to see the same look of shock on the two officer's faces!
I quickly began to explain my statement. I told them that "No, I'm not pleased by the news, it was a great lose, but that my faith was in that GOD was going to work through this event to HIS glory and that I must thank HIM for so doing!" I continued to explain my faith in the power of GOD and how HE many times works through the most tragic events to mold us and shape us into vessels worthy of HIS name. How, we of such limited intellect, can't fathom how HE works or even begin to understand HIS reasoning through events such as this. After a good while of my voice being the only one heard, I was filled in on all the events and later escorted back to my unit. Here, I was greeted by several of my Christian brothers, as they were forewarned by the guards of what had happened and were ready to comfort me.
Now, I could go on here with more of the events that happened following, and even during, these events, but these can be found in my book. But as per this entry: GOD often works through the most, seemingly, tragic events within our lives to reveal HIS glory. HE often has allowed satan to "sift us" or nature to batter us in order to accomplish this. If when this happens our mouth begin to acknowledge HIS greatness and glory, you can surely count on a quick rebuttal from the adversary. For there is nothing that he hates more than hearing GOD receive glory for the works of his hands. So lift up your voice in praises to GOD and rest assured all hell will soon follow in their way. But let not this constrain your praises from being sung, only increase the volume of them. For it will soon be GOD's turn to reveal wonders upon wonders for all that you've sung unto HIM about!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
As I have loved you...
Praise the LORD!!!
Oh, if only you all could have my heart and understandings! Don't get me wrong, I'm no one great, I'm not even a great orator or expounder of scripture. But it is a fact, that my heart is rent, because of what I see within the body of CHRIST. A body that is supposed to operate as one, though made up of many differing pieces.
I'm sure, that most of you know what I'm talking about, when I say "there is far to much 'in-fighting' within the body of CHRIST. That which is to be called the CHURCH, a united, singlely minded, body functioning towards one goal alone. To glorify JESUS and HIS love for all of mankind!!!
I'll be one of the first, to admit that there is much wrong, in a lot of the ministries and churches operating today. We've people preaching all kinds of erroneous doctrines and walking in ways that are truly far from those of our SAVIOR. Then we've a mass of brothers and sisters speaking out against these and anyone else that they believe to be operating outside of that which they believe to be right.
Are we as Christians, giving our LORD and SAVIOR, one we supposedly hold so dear, a black-eye? Are we pushing people away, from the way in which we're supposed to walk, instead of drawing them into the KINGDOM? JESUS HIMself, gave us but several commands to follow. We've the two great commandments listed in Matt. 22:37-39 and the one this entry is focused upon, John 13:34,35. With these teachings in mind, let us turn our focus to another teaching of our LORD, that of Matt. 12:25,26 (this is but the only one I'll post here):
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
Are we the body of CHRIST, that which is to stand, focused under but one banner, JESUS and that which HE's done for mankind, are we revealing a loving, self sacrificing SAVIOR to mankind by our actions? Or are we seeking to stand in judgment of all others that call upon the name of JESUS as personal LORD and SAVIOR??? How than, can our KINGDOM stand, if we each reach out and pull down another Christian and their ministry before the eyes of the world? A world so willing to destroy our teachings! A world, so willing to do this very thing on it's own, without our help. Yet are we not doing their works for them, when we, in an unloving manor, trash another Christian and their ministry? Sure, we're to stand against false and erroneous teachings, and scripture gives us the manor in which this is to be done. But are we, building up the KINGDOM of GOD on earth, or are we pulling it down, brick by brick, all in the name of that which "WE" feel to be right?
I don't know about your GOD, but mine is sovereign and omnipotent, very able to control all that is happening within this foul world of ours. HE is able to wipe the face of the earth clear of all that pollutes it. Yet, HE is loving enough to of paid the price for our sins. Sins, not just having been committed, but sins we're currently committing and even those we'll commit in our futures. So before any of us take up 'our' thrones of judgment upon another that calls JESUS, LORD and SAVIOR. Let us first examine our own hearts and minds, to see if we're truly revealing JESUS through our actions. If not, let us keep our mouths shut and our hands away from the keyboard. For I'm sure, without a doubt, that JESUS is certainly able to cleanse this temple, HE calls HIS CHURCH!!!!!!!
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
Oh, if only you all could have my heart and understandings! Don't get me wrong, I'm no one great, I'm not even a great orator or expounder of scripture. But it is a fact, that my heart is rent, because of what I see within the body of CHRIST. A body that is supposed to operate as one, though made up of many differing pieces.
I'm sure, that most of you know what I'm talking about, when I say "there is far to much 'in-fighting' within the body of CHRIST. That which is to be called the CHURCH, a united, singlely minded, body functioning towards one goal alone. To glorify JESUS and HIS love for all of mankind!!!
I'll be one of the first, to admit that there is much wrong, in a lot of the ministries and churches operating today. We've people preaching all kinds of erroneous doctrines and walking in ways that are truly far from those of our SAVIOR. Then we've a mass of brothers and sisters speaking out against these and anyone else that they believe to be operating outside of that which they believe to be right.
Are we as Christians, giving our LORD and SAVIOR, one we supposedly hold so dear, a black-eye? Are we pushing people away, from the way in which we're supposed to walk, instead of drawing them into the KINGDOM? JESUS HIMself, gave us but several commands to follow. We've the two great commandments listed in Matt. 22:37-39 and the one this entry is focused upon, John 13:34,35. With these teachings in mind, let us turn our focus to another teaching of our LORD, that of Matt. 12:25,26 (this is but the only one I'll post here):
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
Are we the body of CHRIST, that which is to stand, focused under but one banner, JESUS and that which HE's done for mankind, are we revealing a loving, self sacrificing SAVIOR to mankind by our actions? Or are we seeking to stand in judgment of all others that call upon the name of JESUS as personal LORD and SAVIOR??? How than, can our KINGDOM stand, if we each reach out and pull down another Christian and their ministry before the eyes of the world? A world so willing to destroy our teachings! A world, so willing to do this very thing on it's own, without our help. Yet are we not doing their works for them, when we, in an unloving manor, trash another Christian and their ministry? Sure, we're to stand against false and erroneous teachings, and scripture gives us the manor in which this is to be done. But are we, building up the KINGDOM of GOD on earth, or are we pulling it down, brick by brick, all in the name of that which "WE" feel to be right?
I don't know about your GOD, but mine is sovereign and omnipotent, very able to control all that is happening within this foul world of ours. HE is able to wipe the face of the earth clear of all that pollutes it. Yet, HE is loving enough to of paid the price for our sins. Sins, not just having been committed, but sins we're currently committing and even those we'll commit in our futures. So before any of us take up 'our' thrones of judgment upon another that calls JESUS, LORD and SAVIOR. Let us first examine our own hearts and minds, to see if we're truly revealing JESUS through our actions. If not, let us keep our mouths shut and our hands away from the keyboard. For I'm sure, without a doubt, that JESUS is certainly able to cleanse this temple, HE calls HIS CHURCH!!!!!!!
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
Friday, May 20, 2011
Full or Empty tank?
Praise the LORD!!!
This may sound like an unusual question to ask, but it is a pertinent one. Is your spiritual fuel tank, full or empty? There are many times in life and especially our spiritual walk, when we've exerted ourselves beyond measure and our strength to proceed on is literally non-existent. This becomes a constant in life, if one is always reaching out to others, we become drained of that inner strength to carry on.
Not unlike the remedy for this when our car's tanks are empty, we must stop and refuel. For the Christian this fueling is accomplished by spending time in the WORD of GOD, prayer and meditation. So very often in scripture we hear of JESUS going off to a place by HIMself to pray. Unlike us, HE didn't have a Bible to take with HIM, for scripture in those days were massive scrolls and hard to transport. But HE spent HIS time in close communion with the FATHER. In prayer and meditation, HE sometimes spent the whole night reaching out and listening to the holy FATHER.
How often do we spend this kind of time with GOD? I'd say, it'd be a good guess to say, seldom! Most of our times in prayer are short lived, lasting but a few moments or if deeply troubled, lasting into minutes or maybe parts of an hour. Seldom, will you hear of those, that will spend an hour or more in prayer, let alone, the whole of the night or day. Now, I'm not saying we don't hear of those, that do stretch their prayer times into hours or even those that spend several hours a day, wrapped up in prayer. These though, aren't the normal and those that do practice this, are usually running major ministries. Is there a correlation between our time in prayer and the 'power' that is involved in our ministry. YES!!! JESUS spent the whole night in prayer, with the results of healing many and feeding thousands. Casting out demons, teaching masses of people or caring about the physical needs of thousands, is physically demanding, let alone spiritually. Even if you're not doing any of these, the normal draining of our spirits, that occurs from meeting life's demands, has the same effects on us. So let us go before the throne of GOD, drop to our knees or fall prostrate before it, and let our reverence, petitions and praises pour fourth. One thing to remember, also let us take time to listen and receive that which GOD has for us. For just like fueling up our cars, it doesn't do any good, if we let it run out onto the ground, it must go into our tanks(hearts)!!!.
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
This may sound like an unusual question to ask, but it is a pertinent one. Is your spiritual fuel tank, full or empty? There are many times in life and especially our spiritual walk, when we've exerted ourselves beyond measure and our strength to proceed on is literally non-existent. This becomes a constant in life, if one is always reaching out to others, we become drained of that inner strength to carry on.
Not unlike the remedy for this when our car's tanks are empty, we must stop and refuel. For the Christian this fueling is accomplished by spending time in the WORD of GOD, prayer and meditation. So very often in scripture we hear of JESUS going off to a place by HIMself to pray. Unlike us, HE didn't have a Bible to take with HIM, for scripture in those days were massive scrolls and hard to transport. But HE spent HIS time in close communion with the FATHER. In prayer and meditation, HE sometimes spent the whole night reaching out and listening to the holy FATHER.
How often do we spend this kind of time with GOD? I'd say, it'd be a good guess to say, seldom! Most of our times in prayer are short lived, lasting but a few moments or if deeply troubled, lasting into minutes or maybe parts of an hour. Seldom, will you hear of those, that will spend an hour or more in prayer, let alone, the whole of the night or day. Now, I'm not saying we don't hear of those, that do stretch their prayer times into hours or even those that spend several hours a day, wrapped up in prayer. These though, aren't the normal and those that do practice this, are usually running major ministries. Is there a correlation between our time in prayer and the 'power' that is involved in our ministry. YES!!! JESUS spent the whole night in prayer, with the results of healing many and feeding thousands. Casting out demons, teaching masses of people or caring about the physical needs of thousands, is physically demanding, let alone spiritually. Even if you're not doing any of these, the normal draining of our spirits, that occurs from meeting life's demands, has the same effects on us. So let us go before the throne of GOD, drop to our knees or fall prostrate before it, and let our reverence, petitions and praises pour fourth. One thing to remember, also let us take time to listen and receive that which GOD has for us. For just like fueling up our cars, it doesn't do any good, if we let it run out onto the ground, it must go into our tanks(hearts)!!!.
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The character of Judas, in a differnet light.
Praise the LORD!!!
Seldom will I copy and post a large portion of any writings, scripture or those of man. But this is a bit different, for this writing has totally stirred me. So many see Judas Iscariot and his acts of betrayal only with the light of the acts themselves and the end cost of them. This text shall bring these into a newer light, one that I believe we see very often in the church today and also the individual believers. (I have left the text completely unedited, so there maybe references to other sections of the books from which they came. If they work, count it as blessing, for I'm enjoying these studies.)
"The character and end of Judas is one of the most important and instructive things in history. It teaches us, 1. That Christ may employ wicked men for important purposes in his kingdom. See Notes on ver. 17. He does no violence to their freedom; suffers them to act as they please, but brings important ends out of their conduct. One of the most conclusive arguments for the pure character of Jesus Christ is drawn from the silent testimony of Judas. 2. The character of Judas was eminently base and wicked. He was influenced by one of the worst human passions; and yet he concealed it from all the apostles. It was remarkable that any man should have thought of making money in such a band of men; but avarice will show itself everywhere. 3. We see the effects of covetousness in the church. It led to the betraying of Jesus Christ, and to his death; and it has often betrayed the cause of pure religion since. There is no single human passion that has done so much evil in the church of God as this. It may be consistent with external decency and order, and in accordance with the principles on which the world acts, and which it approves, and it may therefore be indulged without disgrace, while open and acknowledged vices would expose their possessors to shame and ruin. And yet it paralyses and betrays religion probably more than any single propensity of man. 4. The character of an avaricious man in the church will be developed. Opportunities will occur when it will be seen and known by what principle he is influenced. So it was with Achan (Jos. 7:21); so it was with Judas; and so it will be with all. Occasions will occur which will test the character, and show what manner of spirit a man is of. Every appeal to a man’s benevolence, every call upon his charity, shows what spirit influences him—whether he is actuated by the love of gold, or by the love of Christ and his cause."
Barnes, A. (1884-1885). Notes on the New Testament: Acts (R. Frew, Ed.) (17–18). London: Blackie & Son.
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
Seldom will I copy and post a large portion of any writings, scripture or those of man. But this is a bit different, for this writing has totally stirred me. So many see Judas Iscariot and his acts of betrayal only with the light of the acts themselves and the end cost of them. This text shall bring these into a newer light, one that I believe we see very often in the church today and also the individual believers. (I have left the text completely unedited, so there maybe references to other sections of the books from which they came. If they work, count it as blessing, for I'm enjoying these studies.)
"The character and end of Judas is one of the most important and instructive things in history. It teaches us, 1. That Christ may employ wicked men for important purposes in his kingdom. See Notes on ver. 17. He does no violence to their freedom; suffers them to act as they please, but brings important ends out of their conduct. One of the most conclusive arguments for the pure character of Jesus Christ is drawn from the silent testimony of Judas. 2. The character of Judas was eminently base and wicked. He was influenced by one of the worst human passions; and yet he concealed it from all the apostles. It was remarkable that any man should have thought of making money in such a band of men; but avarice will show itself everywhere. 3. We see the effects of covetousness in the church. It led to the betraying of Jesus Christ, and to his death; and it has often betrayed the cause of pure religion since. There is no single human passion that has done so much evil in the church of God as this. It may be consistent with external decency and order, and in accordance with the principles on which the world acts, and which it approves, and it may therefore be indulged without disgrace, while open and acknowledged vices would expose their possessors to shame and ruin. And yet it paralyses and betrays religion probably more than any single propensity of man. 4. The character of an avaricious man in the church will be developed. Opportunities will occur when it will be seen and known by what principle he is influenced. So it was with Achan (Jos. 7:21); so it was with Judas; and so it will be with all. Occasions will occur which will test the character, and show what manner of spirit a man is of. Every appeal to a man’s benevolence, every call upon his charity, shows what spirit influences him—whether he is actuated by the love of gold, or by the love of Christ and his cause."
Barnes, A. (1884-1885). Notes on the New Testament: Acts (R. Frew, Ed.) (17–18). London: Blackie & Son.
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
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Seasons
Praise the LORD!!!
In Ecles. 3:1-8, we're told that GOD has set seasons for all the events in time. Currently you may be having times of joy or sadness, richness or poverty. One thing is for certain, GOD has a plan and all things will happen in HIS timing. We can't concern ourselves with HIS time for things, but we should be doing that which HE has called to be about at this time. Accept whatever season you're in and be about HIS works for this time:)))
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
In Ecles. 3:1-8, we're told that GOD has set seasons for all the events in time. Currently you may be having times of joy or sadness, richness or poverty. One thing is for certain, GOD has a plan and all things will happen in HIS timing. We can't concern ourselves with HIS time for things, but we should be doing that which HE has called to be about at this time. Accept whatever season you're in and be about HIS works for this time:)))
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
Friday, May 13, 2011
Picture the 'Good Samaritan' in your walk
Praise the LORD!!!
A matter that has been on my heart for some time, since my earliest of days in the formation of the ministry, is how the parable of the 'Good Samaritan' is supposed to work into our lives. I'm sure most of you that are reading this are familiar with this parable, so I'll not go deeply into it, but just brush upon the surface of how it pertains to our daily walk with the LORD!
Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
A matter that has been on my heart for some time, since my earliest of days in the formation of the ministry, is how the parable of the 'Good Samaritan' is supposed to work into our lives. I'm sure most of you that are reading this are familiar with this parable, so I'll not go deeply into it, but just brush upon the surface of how it pertains to our daily walk with the LORD!
Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
27 He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Many today are like the religious ones that happened upon this poor man who had been beaten to within inches of his life. They walk around in 'religious garb' shunning anything that doesn't have the remotest resemblance to their 'calling'(position before men or within their religious group) in life. Many large ministries, when asked by the small 'startups' for assistance, will offer up their prayers, but nothing else. Many will spout off with the comment that 'we've not the funding at this time to undertake such a matter.' While others, won't even humble themselves to the point of giving a simple reply. How do I know this to be true? Simple. I've asked the large mega ministries for assistance. To be a fact, I've asked almost every ministry, denomination and church that I'd been in contact with in the early years. Not just for their funding, but any help they could give me in how to start even the most basic parts of the ministry. To date there has been only two that have given anything, besides their prayers. One sent me over $300 worth of tapes and books and the other a simple 'packet' of tracts that they used and the paperwork to order more from. I sent them, actually all of them, letters of thanks and appreciation for all that they could offer. I saved the books and tapes and filed the 'packet.' Now don't take me wrong, I value people's prayers highly. But when you ask people for help and they've the means to assist and all they offer is prayers or excuses, this places them in the realm of being a sinner.
We as Christians are supposed to go beyond that which we're asked to. Even if it is but hinted at or alluded to, such as one stating their conditions in life but not openly asking for help. The way laid stranger didn't yell out and ask for the Samaritan's help. No, he freely gave all that he had, even going beyond this and telling the inkeeper he'd cover all the expense beyond what he'd paid. These kind of actions shouldn't be the acceptations of our walk, but those that are the normal acts we live by. Too many today are afraid to step out beyond what they 'know' and step into the unknown of fully trusting GOD. They're pass up a stranded motorist on the side of the road, or the hitchhiker tooling along the roadways of life. To pass by these very people, we're missing out on such and abundant life. Yes folks, to give beyond measure, that which can be considered as your all, is the pathway to a most abundant life. GOD places people such as these within our pathways, so we can bless them as we've been blessed. In doing so, we empty our pockets of that which we have, only so the LORD can refill them with newer and greater blessings!
So I ask you at this time. Will you seek to be a blessing to others, by giving beyond measure, or will you continue to hold on to your blessings, because they're yours???
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
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