A new creation

 Praise the LORD!!!

    First off this morning, I want to thank the LORD for blessing me with another day, another day which I pray will be blessed with glorifying HIS most precious name.

   As many of you know, or should know by now, I wasn't a very nice person. Self centered, egotistical and fool-mouthed to mention but a few. Since the LORD convicted my heart and opened my eyes to my need for a personal SAVIOR, there's been a dramatic change.

   2 Corinthians 5:17
        " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

   You may ask what kind of changes have taken place. To keep things as brief as possible, for this blog, the greatest of these has to be my level of compassion. Now this change is one that takes a deep inward change and not one that a person can do on their own. Many have tried and failed to change along these lines, for it is deeply seated in a person's character. Not something we can do without the help of the LORD. Truthfully, it's mostly done by HIM alone!!!

   Before JESUS, I was one that could watch a person suffer tragedy and laugh at the experience. Now, I'm not talking about minor accidents, but major ones that totally trash a person's spirit and life. I'd be totally unaffected by even the worst cases. Having a 'survivalist' nature, I was sure in my own ability to be able to handle the same events. There was no concern at all for what they were feeling, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. I saw the events as means to learn from, both for myself and them. An if they didn't learn from them, "Oh well, that was their problem."


   The change: now I go into immediate prayer upon hearing of a person's untimely events. I long to be able to reach out to every single one of them, in some physical manor. I'm sitting here this morning, torn up inside because of the recent news of the tornadoes that ravished sections of Oklahoma and Arkansas last night and this morning. Almost to the point of anger.


   Most of you know I've a ministry, with a branch in disaster relief and I'm not going to promote it here. For this isn't the reason for this blog. The reason, is to get you thinking! Thinking, about the changes the LORD has effected within your life. What are the fruits that have been revealed through these changes and the actions you're taking to reveal these changes even more so! With our walks being that which others see of our relationship with JESUS, it is imparitive that these changes can be seen in everything we do. Every aspect of our lives is under the microscope of the world and they're examining them intently. They've either conviction taking place within their hearts and wanting to make the decision to be with JESUS. Or, they're trying to pick out every flaw they can find in us, to disprove the truths of the GOSPEL. Either way, the 'regenerated' life in CHRIST that flows through your veins, is a supreme proof, that JESUS is WHO HE is claimed to be in the Bible and our lives!!!   

   If you'd like to know more of the changes that have taken place within my life since JESUS took over control and the type of person I was before, you can read my book (online or downloadable) at: http://vineofchrist.org/outofthelight.aspx   You can also check out what the LORD has me working on for HIM, by following the ministry's link below. It's not the best of web sites, because I'm no programmer or graphic artist and have very limited funds, but it will give you an idea of what the LORD has done with this worthless piece of flesh since regenerating it:)))

 Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 

GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries